Thanks to our Impact100 Houston membership, our 2023 grantees continued to create positive change for our community. We are grateful for their commitment to building a stronger Houston and are pleased to share the impact of these recipients’ work throughout 2024.
Houston reVision: $100,000 Grant Recipient – Health & Wellness Focus Area
Houston reVision’s mission is to help youth in Harris County who are caught in the cycle of the juvenile justice system and homelessness. They do this by connecting them with mentors, positive peers, helpful resources, and opportunities for artistic expression. Houston reVision works to end the severe isolation among these youth. By connecting them with caring adults, positive peers, and effective programs, Houston reVision offers a chance to envision a hopeful future. They foster an inclusive environment where young people from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported. Houston reVision is dedicated to ensuring equity and cultural sensitivity are at the heart of everything they do. From the language used to the programs offered, they strive to create a space where every young person has equal access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. All staff members are trained in culturally competent and trauma-informed practices, ensuring that youth receive support tailored to their unique needs and experiences. During the 2024 grant period, Houston reVision provided case management and navigation services to 84 youth and young adults, surpassing their goal of supporting 70 youth by the end of the year. Of those 84 youth and young adults, 78 (92%) are in permanent housing, exceeding their end of year goal of 65%. The remaining youth are currently receiving services and working toward that goal.
Raise Up Families: $100,000 Grant Recipient – Family Focus AreaRaiseUp Families stabilizes parents from vulnerable communities who face unexpected financial crises so their children can focus on their education, giving them the opportunity for a better life. Since 1994 they have been providing financial assistance to parents of school-age children while helping them attain higher income jobs and teaching invaluable budgeting skills. This leads parents to become self-sufficient – prepared for future financial challenges where they will not have to utilize social services again. Their relational and individualized care gives parents the training and confidence to realize a better future for their children. With the grant from Impact100 Houston, RaiseUp Families has strengthened graduate support by hiring a LevelUp Case Manager, enhancing personalized engagement. They expanded initiatives in emotional wellness, professional development, financial growth, academic enrichment, and housing stability. The grant enabled the implementation of a CRM system, improving data tracking and program effectiveness. Additionally, they rebranded LevelUp to reflect their mission of long-term transformation, ensuring members continue thriving beyond immediate crisis resolution. RaiseUp Families is now better positioned to sustain long-term member success, ensuring HandUp graduates do not just survive but thrive beyond their initial crisis. This grant has played a critical role in establishing foundational systems and programs that will support members for years to come.
Art League Houston: $15,000 Grant Recipient – Arts & Culture Focus Area
The mission of Art League Houston is to connect the community through diverse, dynamic, and creative experiences that bring people together to see, make, and talk about contemporary visual art. Their role as a creative hub for multiracial, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary artists facilitates connections that generate new ideas, stimulate creativity, spark imagination, foster empathy, and drive social change through the arts. Art League Houston provides diverse visual arts offerings, such as exhibitions, public art installations, artist talks, studio classes, free public events, arts education initiatives, and targeted outreach to under supported communities.
The Artbound program reached 850 students—meeting their goal—and they partnered with 11 campuses during the 2023–24 school year, exceeding their target of 10. Additionally, they hosted two in-person culminating events and the annual virtual Artbound exhibition, which featured student artwork from every campus. The grant also enabled them to produce an engaging video featuring student and instructor interviews that has boosted the school’s visibility and sparked community interest. Early metrics, including thousands of views and a $5,000 donation from a key local foundation, indicate strong engagement. These outcomes are already contributing to increased enrollment and additional fundraising opportunities, confirming that the grant has significantly advanced their mission and set the stage for sustainable growth.
Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation: $15,000 Grant Recipient – Environment Focus Area
The Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF) was founded on the principle that education for sustainability is essential for today’s K-12 students. Education for sustainability is a teaching methodology that develops critical thinking skills necessary to understand complex, interconnected issues. Students today face unprecedented challenges and an imperative to balance economic, social and environmental problems. They need to feel inspired and be prepared to innovate new solutions. CELF programs use real-world problem solving to prepare students with the holistic thinking skills and motivation to become agents of change for a healthier, more stable and sustainable future.
Funding from Impact100 Houston helped CELF to engage 19 teachers in professional learning at 2 Green Experiences at Jordan HS and Carver HS, and the Lantrip Student Showcase, which focused on developing their pedagogical skills for implementing student inquiry projects, exceeding their goal of 10 teachers. They also engaged 316 students during these learning experiences. CELF was also able to disseminate microgrants of $500 each to 3 teachers to support school gardening projects and a field trip to Jesse Jones Park that engaged 110 students.
Girls, Inc.: $15,000 Grant Recipient – Education Focus Area
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. They equip girls to reach their full potential while advocating with and for them to end inequity and discrimination. Their mentorship, pro-girl environment, and proven programs prepare girls for independent life. Through the Girls Inc. Experience, their professionally trained staff and volunteers provide mentorship, safe spaces, and programming that address the unique challenges girls face and are proven to help girls succeed. They cultivate safe environments where girls are encouraged to take risks, learn from experiences, and grow.
In 2024, with the help of funding from Impact100 Houston, they empowered 2,973 girls through programs in academic success, career readiness, and healthy living, surpassing their goal of 2,500 girls. With a strong impact on their well-being, Girls Inc. of Greater Houston is expanding in 2025 to reach 3,500 girls, delivering more initiatives to schools and communities across the region. The grant has enhanced their community partnerships, increasing volunteer engagement and participation. It has also sustained key initiatives like the Teen Advocacy Council, empowering girls to raise their voices on critical issues. Additionally, this investment in staff development has equipped their team with the tools to provide the best possible
support.
Philanthropy Fridays are a great opportunity for members to hear directly from our grantees to learn of their progress, build relationships, find ways to get involved, and get questions answered. These are recorded and linked here for each of our 2023 Grant Recipients:
Houston reVision
RaiseUp Families
Art League Houston
Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation
Girls, Inc.