Houston Endowment

Mariana Sanchez and Jannette Diep know what it means to take the journey to U.S. citizenship. It’s why the two have made it their life’s work to help others do the same. Their organizations, Bonding Against Adversity and BPSOS, are among dozens of nonprofits across our region that are guiding eligible Houstonians as they navigate and prepare for naturalization. “We cross every single barrier: transportation, money, lack of English, legal issues, anything that you might think about,” said Sanchez. Learn more about their stories and the resources available to help Houston’s more than 360,000 eligible residents complete their citizenship journeys:

Houston’s seven cultural districts fuel our city's spirit and add to the breadth of arts and cultural experiences that make Houston incredibly dynamic. Here’s how their collective power adds up: ✅ One cornerstone where the city’s first Black-owned green space resides ✅ 9 square miles to explore art, history, science, and spirituality ✅ 30 arts and cultural institutions celebrating indigenous, Hispanic, and Latino heritage ✅ 400 studios for local artists ✅ 950 art-based projects that come to life throughout the year ✅ 21,000 theater seats ✅ Unlimited inspiration gleaned from the food to the sculpture to the impromptu music gatherings https://lnkd.in/gUphRxXK #HoustonCulturalDistrict #HoustonArts #HoustonCulture #ExploreHouston #VisitHouston

Houston is home to seven state-designated cultural districts – the most of any city in Texas. These districts have a common purpose: educate, inspire, and enrich the lives of Houstonians while driving our economy forward and championing the arts. See what each district adds to the vibrancy of Houston. #HoustonCulturalDistrict #HoustonArts #HoustonCulture #ExploreHouston #VisitHouston

Where does civic engagement go from here? That’s what Rice University’s Melissa Marschall and University of Houston’s Suzanne Pritzker seek to answer in their new report: Battlegrounds for Access: Civic Engagement in the Greater Houston Region. Here, they discuss the report, its findings, and what it means for the voting landscape:

Check out The Channel – our latest issue is live! Read on to learn about our work in education, civic engagement, and arts and culture, including our recent campaign to connect eligible-to-naturalize-residents with nonprofit resources in Greater Houston.

Coming this week in The Channel: ✅How Houston Endowment is leading efforts to improve teacher preparation ✅A dialogue with Houston professors examining voter access in Houston ✅Get to know the local artists featured in our third installment of the 2024 Jones Artist Awards Program Subscribe today to stay in the know: bit.ly/4eqIfnd

As we honor the power of giving and collective impact this National Philanthropy Month, Houston Endowment is excited to announce the launch of the Collaboration Fund, a $4.9 million initiative aimed to support 65 of our grantee partners with resources to strengthen their organizations’ capacity so they can continue to drive impact in our community. 💡 Why this matters: Nonprofits in Houston do incredible work every day, yet many have to prioritize their missions over infrastructure. The Collaboration Fund addresses this gap, enabling organizations to invest in areas that can strengthen their organizational capacity, such as: • Human Capital: Developing staff through training, leadership development, and team-building initiatives. • Work Environment: Enhancing physical and operational capabilities, such as office space, equipment, and technology infrastructure. • Technical Expertise: Supporting specialized skills and knowledge development, including consultancy services, governance, data and evaluation, and process improvements. 💬 In the words of our President and CEO, Ann Stern: “Our grantees are the experts on what they need to remain effective and to deepen their impact. The Collaboration Fund is an opportunity for these organizations to invest in themselves and strengthen their capacity to drive change for years to come.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/3AY1FBG #NationalPhilanthropyMonth #HoustonNonprofits

We're proud to support the transformation of Riverside General Hospital into a health and community hub for Houston's Third Ward. This collaborative effort aims to restore vital healthcare services and strengthen community ties. Learn more about this initiative and our role in bringing this asset back to the community. #ThirdWard #RiversideHospital #CommunityHealth

Stanley Bermudez’s Family of Origin series rounds out Traces of Being. Barbershop of Love, Legado de un Padre, and An Inside Joke, 52? serve as a heartfelt tribute to his family and focus on tender moments between his parents. He composes with geometric slices of color without any blending, a style inspired by Venezuelan masters Carlos Cruz Diez and Jesús Rafael Soto as well as Guajiro tapestries. For this exhibition, Stanley created two smaller works: a portrait of his father using old business cards and IDs as a background, reflecting on his legacy two years after his passing, and a portrait of his parents that highlights their distinct personalities. The poignancy of these portraits is heightened by the recent passing of his mother, who saw these paintings in progress.  Weingarten Art Group  Nicki (Evans) Simpson

Read all about it - teacher apprenticeship programs help future educators earn and learn on the job. Here are the top 10 headlines about these programs from around the state.  #TeacherImpact #CertifiedTeachers #NAW2024 #ApprenticeshipUSA BRAZOSPORT ISD  Hutto ISD Midland ISD Houston ISD The University of Texas at Dallas Texas Southern University The University of Texas Permian Basin EDINBURG CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Odessa College