| DIRECT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES, LINE 1- Harris County Talking Transitions Initiative |
Form 990-PF, Part IX-A |
Houston Endowment partnered with the Harris County Judge's Office to engage a consulting firm to support the implementation of a public survey and a series of public meetings intended to gather information from residents on community priorities. The online survey garnered over 11,000 responses that gauged awareness of the functions of county government and perceptions of such issues as criminal justice, housing, child welfare, environmental quality, transportation and flooding. The topical "Civic Saturday" meetings enabled residents to engage directly with county officials and featured workshops for experts, policymakers and residents to identify actions that the County and others can take to respond to community priorities. In addition to providing financial resources toward the consulting firm, Houston Endowment supported the effort by providing input on the meeting topics and format; connecting the Judge's Office with meeting facilitators and hosts; and serving as table hosts and scribes at the community meetings. Houston Endowment also participated in an after-action review with project stakeholders to consider lessons learned and determine next steps. |
| DIRECT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES, LINE 2- IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH |
Form 990-PF, Part IX-A |
Following reports of a spike in Texas' maternal mortality rate, Houston Endowment convened local stakeholders to consider efforts to address maternal health in Harris County, and commissioned a consultant to facilitate the research and development of a community plan to improve maternal health. Once finalized, the foundation engaged the consultant to facilitate stakeholders in implementing strategies outlined in the plan, including developing a data registry to track maternal health outcomes in local hospitals; building public awareness of the issue of maternal health; educating decision-makers about strategies to enhance prenatal and post-natal care; and engaging providers in efforts to minimize implicit bias. In addition, the foundation commissioned a consultant to design and pilot test a vertically-integrated system of care for pregnant women in two high-risk neighborhoods that incorporates all recommendations found in the community plan. In addition to providing financial resources toward the project consultants and ongoing guidance for their work, Houston Endowment continues to convene a steering committee of community representatives that oversees the implementation of this project, as well as engages in the various working groups that are moving the strategies forward. |
| DIRECT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES, LINE 3- HARRIS COUNTY CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE |
Form 990-PF, Part IX-A |
In line with foundation goals to boost civic engagement in Houston and Harris County, Houston Endowment partnered with the Harris County Clerk's Office to engage a marketing firm to develop an awareness campaign to educate voters about a new option to vote at any polling location on election day. The resulting "Vote Your Way" campaign included graphical and messaging content that was delivered via social and traditional media as well as at in-person events. Implemented prior to the November 2019 election, engagement metrics indicated that the campaign reached and engaged target audiences and that 52% of voters utilized the new "vote anywhere" option. In addition to providing financial resources toward engaging the marketing firm, Houston Endowment connected the project partners with community-based organizations such as Houston in Action who could provide input into the development of the awareness campaign. |
| DIRECT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES, LINE 4- BETTER UNDERSTANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD IN HOUSTON |
Form 990-PF, Part IX-A |
Houston Endowment engaged legal assistance to review how public entities in Texas could utilize existing funding streams or create new funding structures to ensure sustainable financing for all or part of an early childhood initiative. HEI anticipates providing the information to the landscape participants at the conclusion of the study. |
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Form 990-PF, Part XV, Line 2a |
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRANTMAKING APPLICATION AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.HOUSTONENDOWMENT.ORG/. GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED THROUGH AN ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS ON THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE. |
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Form 990-PF, Part XV, Line 2b |
GRANT APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS ON THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE. THE APPLICATION PROCESS WILL INDICATE ALL MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION |
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Form 990-PF, Part XV, Line 2c |
THERE ARE NO SUBMISSION DEADLINES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS |
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Form 990-PF, Part XV, Line 2d |
THE FOUNDATION MAKES GRANTS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA, DEFINED AS HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES OF BRAZORIA, CHAMBERS, FORT BEND, GALVESTON, LIBERTY, MONTGOMERY AND WALLER. REFER TO THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND THE TYPES OF GRANTS FUNDED. |