IMPACT IN ACTION
04. 05. 06.
HIGH-IMPACT GRANTMAKING ISSUE AREAS
PAGES 14-15
10.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
PAGES 28-31
GREATER HOUSTON DISASTER ALLIANCE
PAGES 16-17
NEXT GEN MOMENTUM
PAGES 18-19
04. 05. 06.
HIGH-IMPACT GRANTMAKING ISSUE AREAS
PAGES 14-15
10.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
PAGES 28-31
GREATER HOUSTON DISASTER ALLIANCE
PAGES 16-17
NEXT GEN MOMENTUM
PAGES 18-19
We’ve conducted over 100 interviews with donors and community leaders to understand their perspectives and to help guide us on which issue area we will announce by the end of 2023. Learn more about the issue areas we are exploring on page 10.
We launched this action-focused initiative in May in partnership with United Way of Greater Houston. The Disaster Alliance will build a broader tent of partners and solidify a hub of activity focused on disaster preparedness and resiliency yearround for our region. Learn more about the Disaster Alliance on page 16.
Established between January 1, 2023 & June 30, 2023. Thank you for your partnership with us to execute your strategic philanthropy!
• ANONYMOUS (3)
• FEED THE SOUL FOUNDATION AGENCY FUND
• HBRF-LANCE H. DAVIS STEM CELL RESEARCH FUND
• MARY CATHERINE AND BAILEY JONES CHARITABLE FUND
Hosted monthly and featuring various speakers and topics that aim to educate our clients and fundholders on ways to create a positive impact on community issues through networking with institutional experts and other donors at the Foundation. Learn more about the speakers and topics we’ve discussed on page 22.
So far, in 2023, we have awarded over $4.5 million to over 800 students for the 2023-24 academic year. A special thank you to our Scholarship Fundholders for making this impact possible.
Our Giving Guide of Houston Black-Led Organizations has been updated! We recognize how much work there is to create awareness around racial disparities and biases in philanthropy and we are taking steps toward listening, learning, and creating meaningful, lasting change. Visit ghcfgivingguide.org to learn more, or submit a nonprofit to be included on this list!
• MEREDITH LYNN QUALLS AND JAMES
STERLING QUALLS CHARITABLE TRUST
• REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND JUSTICE FUND OF TEXAS
• SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FUND
n March of 2021, Elisabeth Nash logged into a family Zoom meeting to celebrate one of her milestone birthdays. Like many of us, these family Zooms became commonplace for her family to connect during the pandemic. Upon joining this Zoom, Elisabeth immediately knew something was different. Looking through the gallery of people on the video call, she noticed several friends and extended family members, all loved ones but not typical attendees of the more intimate Nash family Zoom calls.
So why were so many people on this Zoom call? Because, in addition to wishing her a happy birthday, everyone on this Zoom had played a role in surprising her with the Elisabeth G. Nash Scholarship Fund. In early 2021, the Elisabeth G. Nash Scholarship Fund (Fund) was established in Elisabeth’s honor, for graduating high school seniors who served as Genesys Works interns in Houston.
We asked Elisabeth about her reaction, and she said, “Overwhelmed. It was such a great surprise and a wonderful way to honor me. I always say that I don’t want presents, but the scholarship is doing something good for others through an organization I am passionate about. It was incredibly thoughtful –they know so well what would truly be meaningful to me.” And, in true Elisabeth fashion, she then asked how she could help with the Fund.
We spoke with Jonathan Nash, Elisabeth’s brother and one of the primary stewards of establishing the Fund, about how this idea came to be. He shared that the discussion started between him and his wife around the kitchen table, where they knew they wanted to involve Genesys Works. After talking it through, they landed on developing a scholarship fund. Jonathan then recruited their sister, Helen, to help, and they sent out two emails. The first email was to Genesys Works Houston sharing their big idea. The second message asked about 20 family
members and close friends if they would contribute to see if they could raise enough money to establish the Fund.
Immediately, the representative at Genesys Works referred the Nash family to Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation) to help them achieve their charitable goals. Jonathan shared, “The Foundation made things easy to get going. Essentially, my first email to the Foundation was, ‘I have no idea what I am doing. Can you help me?‘ The Foundation’s response was perfect as they outlined what my family and I would need to
Genesys Works’ mission is to provide pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. Its proven model not only changes the future trajectory of students’ lives, but also has a ripple effect in their families, communities, companies, and society at large.
do and how they would manage and customize the Fund for us. Setting up this scholarship fund could have been a huge stumbling block, but the Foundation’s support helped us make this possible.”
“We get to provide our input on scholarship selection criteria so we can ensure our goals are met. However, the Foundation does the heavy lifting for us. We would have struggled with so many logistics. I learned that if you ever want to create something like this, the Foundation is the partner to have.”
– Elisabeth Nash Chair for the Board of Directors at Genesys Works HoustonHaving this scholarship awarded to Genesys Works students was perfect because Elisabeth has been involved with the organization for nearly 20 years and currently serves as the Chair for the Board of Directors at Genesys Works Houston. Elisabeth was raised by many educators, including her grandmother, parents, and some aunts. They all showed her the value of receiving an education. Elisabeth is passionate about the mission of Genesys Works because “Students from underserved Houston-area schools are paired with paid corporate internships so they get to experience what a professional world could look like for their future. The long-term goal for these students is economic stability and success. About 80% of the students are first-generation college students, and they will tell you that they have never been exposed to a corporate environment. An internship through Genesys Works opens up a world of possibilities for these young people.”
People call Elisabeth “Aunt E,” regardless of whether they are technically a niece or nephew. She provides emotional and monetary support to many people
around her because she always looks to lighten the load for the people she loves. Helen shared, “My sister has no biological kids, but my brother and I have five between the two of us. Through the years, my sister has been a surrogate mom to each of her nieces and nephews in an unusual way. She did more than attend birthday parties and sporting events; she would ask them about their aspirations and dreams and how she could help support and feed them. Radical generosity is a wonderful trait that needs to be cultivated, seen, taught, modeled, and passed on. My sister has taught us about radical generosity as a group of siblings. With her help, we have instilled this with our kids, and we hope this spirit of giving will continue for the next generations of our family.”
Asking for money was not something that Jonathan and Helen had done before, and they were moved by their family and close friends’ willingness to contribute. That initial generosity was an incredible reflection of how much Elisabeth means to so many, and they continue to provide support with annual contributions.
These scholarships are renewable. Meaning, if the students maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and 12 hours of coursework, the Fund’s scholarship recipients are eligible for this scholarship each year, whether pursuing a 2-year or 4-year degree. While one-time scholarships are incredible for opening doors for students, recurring scholarships can move the needle to help students cross the finish line to graduation.
Throughout the process, the family has received several thank-you notes from their scholarship recipients. Connecting a human being to their philanthropy has been amazing. Elisabeth said, “The Fund honors me, which is awesome, but the best part is the joy of seeing and hearing about the impact. These scholarships do not just help one student – the positive impact ripples through to
their parents and siblings, and through our community by helping to build the workforce of the future.”
Ask Elisabeth’s family and friends...there’s simply no better way to honor her.
“Thanks to you and the Elisabeth G. Nash Scholarship Fund, I’ll be able to devote more time to my studies this year without the pressure of financial instability as a college student. I feel so lucky knowing I won’t have to worry about how to pay for things like on-campus housing and textbooks. This scholarship is extremely motivating to me as I’m planning to pursue a career in engineering and know that this is an investment in my future. All of your work is appreciated, and I thank you for making college possible for students like me!”
– Rachel Okoronkwo 2022 Scholarship Recipient
What is the Community Impact Fund? As Houston continues to evolve, so does the Foundation. As we look to the future, our focus includes Community Impact, ultimately leveraging our local knowledge, convening power, and collective resources to help create a better future for all Houstonians.
The Foundation has built deep relationships for nearly 30 years by honoring donor intent and igniting meaningful change with our clients. We help grow effective philanthropy by connecting donors to the causes they care about and providing excellent stewardship of assets entrusted to us. Our Community Impact Fund expands our collective reach to fuel new, more strategic investments to make Houston a more vibrant region for all. Currently, the Foundation is raising funds needed to sustainably maintain and support our Community Impact Fund initiatives through a two-year fundraising strategy, moving toward an Annual Giving Program in 2025.
We’ve raised more than $1.1 million for the Community Impact Fund in 2023 thanks to the generosity of:
Patti, Richard, and Jenny Everett
Cullen K. Geiselman
Charlene and Tym Tombar
Chris and Sarah Weekley
Randa and K.C. Weiner
Jerry C. Dearing Family FoundationThis is the list of Founding Supporters of the Community Impact Fund as of June 30, 2023. HONORARY CHAIRS
Diana Zarzuelo, Co-Chair Vice President of Community Philanthropy
Joseph Stewart, Co-Chair Donor Services Assistant
Pooja Amin General Counsel
Chelsea Cheung Senior Data and Learning Analyst
Kolby Gilbert Individual and Corporate Relations Manager
Courtney Grymonprez Scholarships Manager
Kaitlin Necas Communications Specialist
Lauren Spackman Client Manager – Strategic Philanthropy
Jennifer Touchet Vice President of Personal & Family Philanthropy
Nadia Valliani Director of Community Philanthropy
Gaby Aguirre Villacorta Foundation Services Associate
Tyler Murphy Senior Advisor of Charitable Solutions
Our Community Impact Fund expands our collective reach to help fuel more strategic investments to make Houston a more vibrant region for all. The Community Impact Fund supports:
Leveraging independent data and over 200 indicators, Understanding Houston continues to reveal how the quality of life in our tri-county area, from arts and education to housing and economic opportunity, is changing over time. The accessible information and insights are a sounding board for community voices and are an essential resource for smart philanthropic analysis for Houston’s decision-makers. Community needs identified through Understanding Houston will guide new strategic investments in high-impact initiatives addressing pressing challenges in the community so more Houstonians can thrive. With this objective lens and through the support of our generous donor community, we can better support our neighbors by tackling Houston’s growing and shifting needs with data and evidence at the center of our decision-making.
We are launching a new grantmaking opportunity to help address some of Houston’s most pressing social and economic challenges. This collaborative grantmaking will create deep partnerships that leverage resources to improve the lives of Houstonians. The High-Impact Grantmaking will be led by a committee of diverse experts and community leaders who will dig deep into a pressing community need, inform a funding strategy, and recommend investment opportunities to the Foundation’s Board for approval. Through an inclusive process, the Foundation will seek to maximize the impact of collective investment and efforts within a focus issue area over the next 3-5 years. Our initial issue area for collaborative action grantmaking will be identified by the end of 2023.
Along with annual collaborative action grantmaking, we remain dedicated to our 15-year history of impact in disaster recovery and resilience. The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance (Disaster Alliance) is an action-focused initiative powered by the Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston, publicly launched in May 2023. The Disaster Alliance will build a broader tent of partners focused on disaster preparedness and resiliency yearround for our region to ensure we are not only ready for the next disaster but also more resilient – reducing the repeated harm caused by disasters on our most vulnerable neighbors to the extent possible.
“If Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation) can educate, encourage, and activate funders to help support the betterment of Houston, we will truly make an impact. Houston has a vast array of nonprofits working to address the needs of our community, and the Foundation has the unique ability to shape funders’ understanding of how their investments can impact the future of our city. With the Community Impact Fund, the Foundation will have a strong lever to address needs and encourage the great potential of our city.”
– Winnie Simmons Phillips Next Gen Donor Institute Alumna & Gen Impact Fund Participant Diana Zarzuelo Vice President of Community Philanthropyhe Foundation’s new High-Impact Grantmaking will help address some of Houston’s most pressing social and economic challenges. It will bring together the best minds, hearts, ideas, and evidence to make a collective community investment that leads to a lasting impact. This innovative annual grantmaking opportunity will be led by a committee of diverse experts consisting of some of Houston’s philanthropic, nonprofit, civic, and business leaders who bring a unique perspective on a pressing community need, allowing our
Foundation donors and partners to invest in solutions with catalytic impact.
On the next page are key findings about the three issue areas under consideration for the first round of High-Impact Grantmaking which were selected after interviewing almost 100 voices throughout Houston. A diverse committee is exploring these issues in more detail, and our initial issue area for High-Impact Grantmaking will be identified by the end of 2023. All data is sourced from UnderstandingHouston.org
Early childhood is a critical window of opportunity to shape a child’s life trajectory and build a foundation for their future. The period from birth to three is paramount for brain development as more than one million neural connections are formed each second – a never-repeated pace. Research shows that comprehensive, high-quality education programs have a 13% return on investment and, produce better outcomes in education, health, sociability, economic productivity, and crime reduction among low-income children. However, 90% of low-income children live in a quality childcare desert; for every three children from low-income families, only one subsidized childcare seat is available. Additionally, Pre-K enrollment in Harris County has plummeted. We are exploring ways to strengthen and/or scale existing work for children during this pivotal period of life.
Children who have lived in poverty for half their childhoods are nearly 90% more likely than their peers who never lived in poverty to enter their 20s without completing high school. Nearly 300,000 children under 18 in Harris County live in poverty, about one in four (24%), much higher than the national rate of 17%.
Harris County – the most populous County in Texas – has the second highest child poverty rate in the state (following El Paso). The problem is worse for single mothers with children under 18 in Harris County, with 41% of such households living in poverty in 2021. We are exploring an initiative to transform access to public assistance programs primarily focused on families with children living in poverty, and other opportunities for targeted impact.
Nearly half of Texas high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and more than one in five seriously considers attempting suicide. Locally, one out of six young people report having had a major depressive episode. If mental illness in childhood and adolescence goes untreated, individuals are more likely to experience adverse outcomes as adults, such as unemployment, poverty, lower educational attainment, and worse health outcomes. We are exploring ways to support current mental health needs among youth who are not getting sufficient attention.
Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation) and United Way of Greater Houston (UWGH) are expanding their partnership with the launch of the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance (Disaster Alliance). The new Disaster Alliance will strengthen overall disaster preparedness year-round to ensure that the greater Houston region has the social service network and systems to respond rapidly, equitably, and effectively in times of disaster.
The Disaster Alliance marks the next phase in a partnership formalized two years ago between the Foundation and UWGH to coordinate philanthropic response to disaster recovery in Greater Houston to enhance our region’s resiliency. Previously, the two organizations collaborated with City and County leadership, including Mayor Sylvester Turner and Judge Lina Hidalgo, to address urgent community needs prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri that devastated the region. Working together, and with the support of hundreds of individuals, local foundations, and businesses, they raised and deployed a total of $34.7 million
in philanthropic support in the local community in response to these two historic events.
The funding and formation of the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance will allow the Foundation and UWGH to develop faster and more effective ways to raise and deploy funds in the aftermath of a disaster; enhancing systems that support equitable access to recovery
resources for vulnerable populations; and building a lasting coalition of public and private leaders to strengthen region-wide disaster resiliency in advance of disasters. For more information on the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance, visit www.disasteralliance.org
The launch of the Disaster Alliance was made possible by a combined $1.5 million investment from Enbridge and Phillips 66. Enbridge and Phillips 66 are each donating $250,000 a year for three years to fund the Disaster Alliance. Both companies have longstanding commitments to safety and the well-being of the communities they serve, making it a natural fit for them to invest in building infrastructure that enhances the resiliency of the greater Houston community in times of disaster.
“Enbridge is keen about safety, and being prepared for events that may occur is a critical part of that. The Disaster Alliance gives hard-working Houstonians the tools and resources to navigate future natural disasters and their long-term impact. The partnership builds relationships and systems to improve resiliency, response, and recovery in our region. This is vitally important work that we are proud to support.”
– Greg Ebel Enbridge President and CEO“Phillips 66 is committed to building a stronger, safer, more resilient community. The Disaster Alliance works toward that goal by inspiring action, identifying solutions, and improving lives. It’s a purposeful partnership that will make Houston more secure economically, socially, and environmentally.”
– Mark Lashier Phillips 66 President and CEOBuilding on the initial investment from Enbridge and Phillips 66, the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance will seek additional funding and partnership opportunities to strengthen its longevity. To learn more about how you can support and be involved, please contact Tyler Murphy, Senior Advisor of Charitable Solutions.
ach year, our Next Gen Giving Circle members collectively decide to focus on one area of need in the greater Houston area, solicit for and examine grant applications, perform site visits to grant semi-finalists, and ultimately select one or more organizations to support. This Giving Circle is open to all Next Gen Donor Institute Alumni.
Angela House: $1,000
Aspire to Win: $1,000
BridgeYear: $10,000
Casa de Esperanza: $5,000
Center for Urban Transformation: $1,000
Collaborative for Children: $10,000
CrossWalk Center: $26,000
Families Empowered: $6,355
Link Houston: $10,000
Menninger: $10,000
Nehemiah Center: $10,000
Prison Entrepreneurship Program: $1,000
Second Servings: $10,000
Small Steps: $5,000
United Against Human Trafficking: $11,500
2023 Grant
will be announced in the fall of 2023!
To fund initiatives that help facilitate the transition of opportunity for youth (ages 16-24) as they age out of the foster care system.A few of our 2023 Next Gen Giving Circle participants. Back Row (L-R): Rich Lewis, Danny Savitz, Cody McGregor, & Brian Merrill. Front Row (L-R): Rachel Wegenhoft, Kayla Lewis, Nancy Smith, & Elizabeth Blanton.
Our Next Gen Donor Institute is a year-long program that helps the next generation of philanthropic leaders develop a deeper understanding of their philanthropy while providing participants ample opportunities to learn from their peers and community leaders. Congratulations to the class of 2023, who now join our extensive network of over 150 alumni!
e have deep experience working with Houston’s top advisors to develop tailored solutions for their clients that meet their charitable giving needs, offer maximum charitable tax deductions, and provide many ways to incorporate charitable giving into their estate plans. In addition, professional advisors can continue to manage your client’s investments when they open a fund with $500,000 or more. A special thanks to our Advisor Outreach Committee and our Emerging Leaders Group for their continued partnership.
In June, we hosted Houston’s top professional advisors to network and learn about innovative charitable strategies.
CHAIR: Karen Costa, RSM
Lauren Doughty, Locke Lord LLP
Nick Erwin, U.S. Capital Advisors
Brandon Holcomb, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Jennifer Klein Strauss, Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP
Tama Klosek, Klosek & Associates PLLC
Charlie Schwartzel, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Bobby Boswell, Avidian Wealth Solutions
Rachel Brown, U.S. Capital Advisors
Julie Cotuno, U.S. Capital Advisors
John Elkins, Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP
Brian Friday, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
David Galic, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Courtney Garson, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Warren Knull, Ytterberg Deery Knull LLP
Olivia Rousseau, Locke Lord LLP
Ryan Staff, RSM
Chayden Tibbitts, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Andrew Wagnon, RSM
Chris Wallace, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
“I am grateful to partner with Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation) to advance the stewardship goals of our mutual clients. The Foundation has developed a suite of resources that uniquely positions it to assist new or experienced donors – and the next generation of donors – with a full spectrum of philanthropic opportunities. Similarly, the Foundation equips advisors to thoughtfully help our clients achieve their charitable goals. We are fortunate to live in such a philanthropic community and fortunate to have an institution like the Foundation.”
– Brandon Holcomb Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Asset & Wealth Management & Greater Houston Community Foundation DonorREADY TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS POSITIVELY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY?
Andrea Mayes Senior Director of Charitable SolutionsEarlier this year, as part of our partnership with clients and fundholders to improve the lives of Houstonians through strategic philanthropy, we launched a new series of programs called Advancing Impact Donor Learning Breakfasts. These programs are hosted monthly and feature various speakers and topics that aim to educate our clients and fundholders on ways to create a positive impact on community issues through networking with institutional experts and other donors at the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Based on interest in particular issue areas, we supplement these programs with visits to various nonprofits, allowing our clients and fundholders to understand better the organizations’ vital work and how they can engage in it.
Thank you to funders and experts from the field who came to speak at our programs. We appreciate you educating our donors, partners, and fundholders on how their philanthropy can positively impact your field. Here is a list of Advancing Impact Donor Learning Breakfasts we have hosted for our donors thus far in 2023!
Attendees discussed ways to fund and create a lasting impact on land and water conservation in Texas.
SPEAKERS WERE:
Dr. Cullen K. Geiselman, Chairman of the Board, Cullen Trust for Health Care & Governing Board Member, Greater Houston Community Foundation
Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud, Executive Director, Bayou City Waterkeeper
Elizabeth Love, Chief Executive Officer, The Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation
Dr. Emily R. Warren, Director, Land Conservation and Water Programs, Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation
Attendees learned a few ways to conduct their philanthropic due diligence on charter schools, including tips on touring charter schools, reviewing available data and test results, and evaluating school leadership.
SPEAKERS WERE:
Herman Stude, Former President, The Brown Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Ann Ziker, Executive Director, The Brown Foundation, Inc.
Because of interest generated about Charter Schools at our March Event, we scheduled a time for donors and staff to tour the Beatrice Mayes Institute. Since 1966, Beatrice Mayes Institute, a charter school, has strived to expand minds, build character, and inspire community action. It is an exciting time in the school’s history as they have recently broken ground for a new facility projected to open in early 2024, which will expand the number of high-quality seats they can provide to the community.
Attendees learned why ages 0-5 are critical developmentally and how their philanthropy can impact the field.
SPEAKERS WERE:
Chelsea Cheung, Senior Data & Learning Analyst, Greater Houston Community Foundation
Linda Nunnery, Former Vice President – Director of Nonprofit Strategy, Texas, PNC Bank
Christy Serrano, Program Officer, Episcopal Health Foundation
Caren Sweetland, Attorney, Community Volunteer, and Governing Board Member, Greater Houston Community Foundation
Attendees learned how to use impact investing and loans to support philanthropic efforts in Houston.
SPEAKERS WERE:
Meredith Lorenz Heimburger, Partner & Head of Impact Investing, Global Endowment Management
Nadia Valliani, Director of Community Philanthropy, Greater Houston Community Foundation
Attendees learned from experts and funders on why access to affordable and safe housing is critical to all residents’ health, quality of life, and well-being, and how to use resources to address issues.
SPEAKERS WERE:
Laura Chapman, Chief Operating Officer & Vice President, Investments, The Cullen Foundation
Kathy Flanagan-Payton, President & CEO, Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation
Laura R. Jaramillo, Executive Director, LISC Houston
Philip Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, Morgan Group
Nadia Valliani, Director of Community Philanthropy, Greater Houston Community Foundation
See page 26 to view a list of our upcom
See page 26 to view a list of our upcoming programs this fall!
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (AGES 0-5)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 Scholarships Celebration
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
Advancing Impact Donor Learning Breakfast: Youth Mental Health
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023 Corporate Social Hour
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023 Advisor Breakfast
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023 Family Philanthropy Day
These programs are for our fundholders and clients only. If you are interested in attending, bringing a guest, or representing a nonprofit organization, please contact us at events@ghcf.org
These programs are for our professional advisor network.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023
Advancing Impact Donor Learning Breakfast: Multigenerational Giving
ADVISOR APPRECIATION DINNER Event Information Coming Soon!
*Important Date – Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, November 28, 2023
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023
Advancing Impact Donor Learning Breakfast: Community Impact Fund Issue Update
These programs are open to the community.
These programs are for Corporate fundholders and clients.
These programs are for Scholarship fundholders and recipients.
Check or Stock Certificate
Postmark on or before 12/31/23
Please contact the Donor Services Department before submitting your stock transfer to ensure your charitable deduction is appropriately credited.
Special Securities*
Deadline: 12/1/23
Call the Donor Services Department if you need assistance with the following items: Private Stock, Tendered Stock, or Restricted Stock.
Mutual Funds*
Deadline: 12/1/23
Submit a completed letter of instruction to the firm holding the fund shares and send a copy to donorservices@ghcf.org
Grant Recommendations
Deadline: 12/11/23
Due to high volume, grants requested after this date might not reach their destination by the close of the year.
Securities*
Deadline: 12/15/23
Submit a completed letter of instruction to the firm holding your stock and send a copy to donorservices@ghcf.org.
Wire Transfer*
Deadline: 12/15/23
Instruct your financial institution to wire funds to Greater Houston Community Foundation. Also, please contact the Donor Services Department before submitting your wire transfer to ensure that your charitable deduction is appropriately credited. For security reasons, the wire instructions are not emailed but may be found on our website.
Charitable Distributions
From IRA Accounts
IRAs may NOT make charitable distributions to a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Please do not have your IRA custodian send a distribution to your DAF, as that may be treated as a taxable distribution to you.
*If these items are not received into the Greater Houston Community Foundation account by 12/31/23, the IRS will not allow a 2023 deduction. Please contact donorservices@ghcf.org to ensure your intended gift is properly credited.
Greater Houston Community Foundation does not provide tax advice or services. Please consult your personal advisor with questions regarding your tax planning.
Corporate Donor Advised Funds
Designated & Agency Funds
Donor Advised Funds
Donor Working Groups
Field of Interest Funds
Legacy Funds
Scholarships
Supporting Organizations
Center for Family Philanthropy
Corporations – Customized Programs
Family Meetings
Interest-Area Programming & Learning Opportunities
Next Gen Donor Institute
Youth Programming
Community & Corporate Disaster Relief
Corporate Giving Program Support & Management Services
Customized Consulting
Giving Plans
Grants Management
Landscape & Issue Analysis
Nonprofit Research
Private Foundation Services
Topical Convenings
Acceptance of Complex Assets
Charitable Advice & Customized Giving Solutions
Third-Party Investment Management (starting at $500,000)
The Foundation has built deep relationships for nearly 30 years by honoring donor intent and igniting meaningful change with our clients. We help grow effective philanthropy by connecting donors to the causes they care about and providing excellent stewardship of assets entrusted to us. Our Community Impact Fund expands our collective reach to fuel new strategic investments to make Houston a more vibrant region for all. Interested in investing in your community? Contact Tyler Murphy, Senior Advisor of Charitable Solutions.
The Community Impact Fund supports:
A regional indicators project providing community leaders with credible data on various topics. The analysis and articles on UnderstandingHouston.org illuminate critical issues in the region to inform decision-making and reflect our commitment to using quantitative and qualitative data, evidence, and innovative ideas to invest in.
Data collected from Understanding Houston will fuel new strategic investments in high-impact initiatives addressing a pressing challenge or need in the community to build a more vibrant Houston region. With a strategic lens and through the support of our generous donor community, we can support our neighbors more deeply to tackle growing and shifting needs.
Today, the Foundation continues its 15-year history of impact in disaster recovery. The Greater Houston Disaster Alliance (Disaster Alliance), launched in May 2023, is an action-focused initiative powered by Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston. The Disaster Alliance will build a broader tent of partners and solidify a hub of activity focused on disaster preparedness and resiliency year-round for our region.
2023 GOVERNING BOARD