At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we are committed to making grant payments as efficient, reliable, and nonprofit‑friendly as possible. Recently, we’ve transitioned a growing portion of our grant payments to nonprofits from paper checks to ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments—and the advantages have been clear. If your organization currently receives grants by check from the Community Foundation, setting up ACH payments can significantly improve the speed, security, and efficiency of your funding.

Community foundations play a pivotal role in supporting philanthropy. They offer flexible platforms for charitable giving, allow donors to integrate giving into their overall financial and estate plans, and enable community members to contribute to a wide range of local needs, but how do community foundations work?

“Every Houston resident deserves a fair chance to succeed—regardless of ZIP code, age, gender, race, or family income. That future is within reach with partnerships, cohesive strategies, and a robust learning framework.” Dr. Flávio Cunha, Director of the Center for Economic Mobility at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research Houston has the assets to be a national leader in economic mobility, but too many residents still face barriers to opportunity. Following strong interest after the inaugural summit in fall 2025, a group of organizations formalized that momentum into the Houston Economic Mobility Coalition (Coalition): Good Reason Houston, Greater Houston Community Foundation, Greater Houston Partnership, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Harris County Housing and Community Development, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, and United Way of Greater Houston. With pro bono support from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the Houston Economic Mobility Coalition has started building a draft framework to guide its work. At the Second Houston Economic Mobility Summit in the spring of 2026, over 250 leaders across sectors came together to better understand Houston’s mobility landscape, strengthen cross-sector relationships, and shape the Coalition’s emerging approach.

The purpose of the Greater Houston Community Foundation Giving Guide is to share information and raise awareness in the philanthropic community, particularly with Community Foundation donors, around how they can support Black-led organizations serving communities in Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties. A Small Step Toward Greater Racial Equity At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we recognize how much work there is to do in regards to creating awareness around racial injustice and we are taking the necessary steps towards listening, learning, and creating meaningful, lasting change. Within this guide, we define “Black-led” as an organization that is led by a Black CEO or executive director. Although we humbly realize that this guide does not fully reflect all of the impactful work that’s being done by local Black communities, we hope that it can act as an ever-evolving resource to increase giving to Black-led organizations over time. About Greater Houston Community Foundation Greater Houston Community Foundation inspires and creates meaningful and positive change with our donors and for our community. During this historic and important time of reflection in our country, Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation) is taking action to elevate awareness around equity and racial justice. There is much work to do and we are beginning a more intentional journey of listening, learning, and creating meaningful change. The Giving Guide was created thanks to the support of many leaders in the philanthropic community and Foundation team research. Thank you to everyone that contributed and reviewed this list of Black-led organizations, including Black Philanthropy Houston and the many nonprofit and foundation leaders that are leading this important discussion around racial equity. We want to honor and uplift the following individuals and organizations for their valuable contributions. LaTanya Flix, Black Philanthropy Houston Brandi Holmes, ImagiNoir Equity Group Ryan Smith, The Brown Foundation Cleve V. Tinsley IV, ImagiNoir Equity Group Ann Ziker, The Brown Foundation Contact 515 Post Oak, Blvd., Suite 1000 Houston, Texas 77027 713-333-2200 connect@ghcf.org First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

The purpose of the Greater Houston Community Foundation Giving Guide is to share information and raise awareness in the philanthropic community, particularly with Community Foundation donors, around how they can support Black-led organizations serving communities in Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties. FAQs 01 How can I give to one of the Black-led organizations listed in the GHCF Giving Guide? If you currently have a donor-advised fund with Greater Houston Community Foundation, you can go online to DonorSphere and make a grant recommendation. You can also go to the organization’s website (listed on the GHCF Giving Guide) and follow their instructions for how to make a donation. 02 How can a Black-led nonprofit get included in the GHCF Giving Guide? Reach out to us at connect@ghcf.org and a Foundation staff member will follow-up with you regarding the requirements and sign-up survey. The organization must be a 501c3 or have a fiscal sponsor. Inclusion in the GHCF Giving Guide is not a guarantee for funding from Greater Houston Community Foundation or its donors. 03 Why did Greater Houston Community Foundation choose to focus on Black-led organizations? Black leaders bring a racial lens to their work, creating effective solutions, and striving towards equitable outcomes. Strong Black communities and institutions contribute to a more equitable future for everyone. Black-led organizations are often underfunded and face unique barriers to funding and investment. 04 Will you feature other BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) organizations in the future? We are taking that under advisement, as it relates to our overall equity work. 05 What is the Foundation doing internally in regards to racial equity? Like most organizations, we have been reflecting and actively working on our role in addressing systemic racism, beginning with us launching a new effort to develop a comprehensive, effective, and sustainable plan to address racial equity challenges within our own organization. 06 How do I become a donor with Greater Houston Community Foundation? To become a donor with Greater Houston Community Foundation, please visit our website and navigate to the "Donate" or "Become a Donor" section. There, you'll find detailed information on the various ways you can contribute, including establishing a donor advised fund. Our team is also available to assist you every step of the way. For further inquiries or personalized assistance, please reach out to us via email at connect@ghcf.org or visit our website for contact details. Join us in making a difference in our community today! 07 How can I learn more about important community needs? Understanding Houston is a collaborative initiative led by the Greater Houston Community Foundation to empower us all with the information we need to act — individually and collectively — to build a Houston region that provides everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential. Understanding Houston brings together disparate data across the three most populous counties (Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery) to provide an accessible, one-stop platform for understanding key quality of life issues for the Houston region. Visit UnderstandingHouston.org to learn more. 08 How can I learn more? Visit our resources page to learn more. To learn more about Greater Houston Community Foundation and our initiatives, please visit our website. There, you'll find comprehensive information about our programs, impact areas, donation options, and how you can get involved. Explore our blog, news section, and resource library for additional insights and updates on our community impact efforts. Whether you're interested in supporting a specific cause or seeking information about our services, our website is your go-to resource for all things related to the Foundation. Visit us online today to discover how you can make a meaningful difference in your community! Contact 515 Post Oak, Blvd., Suite 1000 Houston, Texas 77027 713-333-2200 connect@ghcf.org First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

The purpose of the Greater Houston Community Foundation Giving Guide is to share information and raise awareness in the philanthropic community, particularly with Community Foundation donors, around how they can support Black-led organizations serving communities in Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties. Explore Our Resources Understanding Houston To learn more about important community needs, visit UnderstandingHouston.org . Understanding Houston is a collaborative initiative led by Greater Houston Community Foundation to empower us all with the information we need to act—individually and collectively—to build a Houston region that provides everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential. brings together disparate data across the three most populous counties (Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery) to provide an accessible, one-stop platform for understanding key quality-of-life issues for the Houston region. Learn More Articles Why ACH Grant Payments Benefit Nonprofits How Do Community Foundations Work? Unlocking the Power of Community What Houston’s Economic Mobility Coalition is Building Next General Operating Support for Nonprofits: How DAFs Help Human Trafficking: Philanthropic Awareness, Action, & Impact Why Place-Based Philanthropy Matters: Investing in Neighborhoods to Drive Lasting Change 10 Tips to Strengthen Your Nonprofit with Donor Advised Funds $500,000 Invested in Houston’s Future Driving Changes with Data: Key Drivers to Increase Economic Mobility in Houston Understanding the Changes in Bifurcated Gifts Your Guide to Houston’s Black-Led Organizations Collaborating for Mental Wellness in Houston Empowerment Enthusiast, Dr. Gena Jerkins 11 Terms You Should Know to Better Understand Structural Racism The Importance of Funding Leaders of Color To Build Equity and Justice Videos The Danger of a Single Story Racism Has A Cost For Everyone Decolonizing Wealth Websites Black Philanthropy Houston