Houston Endowment

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

The need for certified teachers is growing, but we're encouraged to see districts adopting innovative solutions - like teacher apprenticeship programs - to foster well-prepared teachers in the Greater Houston area. Here are 10 school districts to watch as apprenticeship programs gain momentum. Spring ISD Houston ISD  Aldine ISD  BRAZOSPORT ISD Tomball ISD Fort Bend ISD Deer Park ISD  Hitchcock ISD Sheldon isd  #TeacherImpact #CertifiedTeachers #NAW2024 #ApprenticeshipUSA

The third artist featured in Traces of Being is Jean Shon, whose series, Ahppa’s Songbook, presents a charming portrait of the artist’s father through photographs of his handwritten lyrics to popular songs.  As a non-native English speaker immersing himself in a new culture, her father made transcription mistakes, which Jean finds endearing and highlights to reflect on the beauty of imperfection and the fluidity of meaning. The works document and preserve her memories while also expressing a child’s affection and admiration for her father, connecting with his experience from decades earlier.  Weingarten Art Group  Nicki (Evans) Simpson

Learning loss. Teacher turnover. Student absenteeism. That’s the reality for many students. Swipe to explore the 10 Reasons Every Student Deserves a Certified Teacher and why certification matters. #TeacherImpact #CertifiedTeachers #NAW2024 #ApprenticeshipUSA 📷 Photos courtesy of Spring ISD

Kaima Akarue showcases three immersive collages from personal photographs in Traces of Being: From Federal to Hopetown, A Privileged thrown for my Oyibo Peking, and Get in the waters fine. She uses irregular borders and sharp angles to distort and reassemble images into fragmented, dreamlike compositions. Her large-scale works explore her family history, featuring recurring images of her father and depictions of home, both interior and exterior. While deeply personal, Akarue’s work captures the emotional weight of memories, transforming lived experiences into something more elaborate, evocative, or grand — often through the lens of childhood. Her collages remind us how memory reshapes itself, becoming more vivid and complex over time. Weingarten Art Group  Nicki (Evans) Simpson

One way to address the teacher shortage? Apprenticeships. Here’s how these programs are transforming education: ✅ Hands-on classroom experience ✅ Financial support for aspiring teachers ✅ A pathway to certification …and more! 📷 Photos courtesy of Spring ISD  #TeacherShortage #NAW2024 #ApprenticeshipUSA

In Texas, more than half of new, first-time teachers are entering the classroom without a teaching certificate, according to new research conducted by the University of Texas. One solution: apprenticeship programs that enable aspiring educators to learn alongside a teacher mentor while earning a paycheck and teaching certificate. Take a look at some of the promising partnerships in the Greater Houston area that are helping increase the number of certified teachers. #NAW2024 #ApprenticeshipUS