Grants for Teachers in Texas

Our Purpose

Improving life potential for children and families through innovative education partners. 

The mission of the Donegan Burns Foundation is to provide grants for the literacy and after-school programs as well as scholarships for deserving youth. Over the last six years the foundation has awarded grants to elementary schools to meet the needs of students with learning differences. The foundation has also provided program funding for Boys and Girls clubs.

Our current priorities include:

• Technology grants to be used for student assessment
• Student testing and intervention training grants for teachers
• After-school programs that support literacy efforts
• Student Scholarships

Donegan Burns provides on average eight grants per year of approximately $15,000 each.

Education Resource Grants for In-School and After-School Programs.

This grant provides up to $25,000 for the cost of technology, materials, and training in support of education programs for children and youth.

We prioritize grants for the following activities:

• Technology: access to online education resources as well as the required hardware.
• Materials: license and/or the purchase of curriculum and supporting resources.
• Training: attendance at workshops/seminars and to provide qualified staff.
• Parent Resources: Basic education for parents on helping a child deal with learning challenges.

Covered expenses include program, training, and technology costs for the following:

• Program: hiring staff, developing communications materials, and equipping education facilities.
• Training: certification and attendance at relevant workshops and seminars.
• Technology: hardware, software and broadband Internet costs.

Grant Outcomes

The goal: improve, motivate, involve, educate and provide.

The Education Resource Grant provide us with the ability to fund a wider variety of innovative and successful education programs which:

• Improve student’s academic participation.
• Motivate youth to achieve academic success
• Involve a greater number of youth in after-school programs.
• Educate parents and provide timely resources to help them support their child.
• Provide access to tools and training at lower costs.

Houston Endowment welcomes inquiries from organizations that will help us drive our priorities as we work to enhance the vibrancy of greater Houston and advance equity of opportunity for the people who live here.

Focus Areas

The issues we seek to address are complex, interrelated and often involve a complex policy framework and complicated public systems. To address these challenges, we work with urgency and in collaboration with others, embracing bold or innovative ideas with potential for significant impact.

We are particularly interested in opportunities that:

Have great potential to sustain or increase the vibrancy of greater Houston

• Address the most critical issues for our region
• Recognize the interconnectedness of issues
• Drive our stated priorities
• Have the potential to benefit large numbers of residents
• Are “ripe” for investment, that is, where circumstances are favorable for positive impact

Strong Civic Assets

Ensure that great cultural assets and civic amenities are available to all

Strong Arts Ecosystem

• Build the capacity of arts organizations and strengthen greater Houston’s arts ecosystem

Greater Houston is home to a wide array of dynamic arts and cultural institutions that provide opportunities for personal enrichment; bring communities together to celebrate, reflect and learn; and contribute to civic pride and our region’s economic well-being. However, many arts organizations face challenges to operational sustainability as they pursue their missions. Houston Endowment provides support to sustain and enhance the arts sector.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Provide innovative solutions to system challenges such as inclusion, relevance and financial sustainability;
• Build the capacity of arts and culture organizations that contribute to sector vibrancy, resiliency and impact; and
• Enhance public policy benefiting the greater Houston arts and culture sector.

Equitable Arts Engagement

• Create opportunities for all to engage in diverse and meaningful arts and culture experiences

Exposure to the arts develops essential skills such as creativity, perception and critical thinking and contributes to positive community norms such as empathy and free expression. However, a number of geographic, socioeconomic and cultural barriers may prevent residents in our region from fully engaging in high-quality arts and cultural experiences. Houston Endowment invests in strategic initiatives to expand access to arts and culture for all residents.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Cultivate audiences that reflect greater Houston;
• Increase understanding of the cultural needs and interests of the broad public;
• Expand broad-scale programming that results in greater access to high-quality, high-impact arts education for children; and
• Infuse arts and culture into multi-sector community initiatives.

Park Equity

• Seed and transform parks and greenspaces to increase park equity

Parks and natural landscapes provide opportunities for physical activity and social connectivity and contribute to a community’s character. Fewer than half of Houston’s residents live within the recommended 10-minute walk of a park. Houston Endowment seeks to seed and transform parks and other greenspaces that support recreation and connectivity, with emphasis on underserved areas.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Assess the availability and condition of local parks, estimate future risks and plan for improvement;
• Acquire, enhance and ensure access to parks and greenspaces, emphasizing underserved areas; and
• Strengthen the capacity of organizations carrying out strategic park development.

Thriving Residents

• Cultivate conditions in which residents can thrive

Access to Healthcare

• Increase access to comprehensive primary and preventive healthcare

Houston Endowment believes all residents should have access to high-quality, comprehensive clinical care, regardless of their income or the neighborhood they call home. A substantial portion of residents do not have health insurance, and are thus less likely to access the care they need in the most appropriate setting. Further, greater Houston’s community-based system for primary, preventive, mental health and substance abuse services is inadequate to meet demand. Houston Endowment invests in efforts to expand access and improve the quality and efficiency of essential care.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Coordinate across providers to improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of the community clinic system;
• Align systems and policies to increase access to mental and behavioral health services; and
• Encourage stakeholders to ensure health insurance coverage for under-resourced populations.

Effective Systems of Support

• Align systems of support to provide efficient and effective services for under-resourced populations

Houston Endowment seeks to improve the systems and policies addressing under-resourced populations across the region, with a particular focus on addressing adverse childhood experiences – potentially traumatic events such as abuse, neglect or exposure to challenging family circumstances – that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. We are especially interested in multi-system initiatives with the potential to positively influence regional policies and practices.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Strengthen the social safety net for all children and under-resourced populations;
• Support effective centers of community; and
• Support proof-of-concept initiatives with potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of systems that enhance the well-being of the children of greater Houston.

 The foundation currently works in the following areas:

• Domestic violence
• Homelessness
• Immigration
• Justice reform
• Juvenile welfare
• Reproductive health

Resilient Communities

• Foster resilient communities

Living in a community with access to safe and stable housing, healthy food, green spaces, high-quality education, support services and opportunities for civic engagement is necessary for personal well-being and resilience. Houston Endowment seeks to improve the well-being of people in greater Houston by helping communities strengthen and leverage their assets and mitigate the social and environmental factors that have a significant negative impact on residents.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Mitigate barriers to health and social well-being through systems and policy change; and
• Work collaboratively to address multiple challenges within a particular community.

Post-Secondary Success

• Ensure all students have the opportunity to achieve post-secondary success

Effective School Systems

• Promote school systems that effectively educate all students

To effectively educate all students and develop the next generation of leaders, the region must have high-quality school systems. These school systems must work in partnership with youth, parents, educators and the community to meet the needs of all students. Houston Endowment supports initiatives that promote high-quality school systems across greater Houston.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Support innovation and growth within high-performing school systems;
• Build capacity in communities and schools to provide effective and aligned support for student success; and
• Equip leaders with high-quality research and data to inform decision-making.

Great Teachers and Leaders

• Increase the number of highly effective teachers and school leaders

Numerous studies point to the impact of teacher and school leader quality on student achievement. Houston Endowment seeks to strengthen the effectiveness of greater Houston’s teachers and school leaders, with particular emphasis on systems-level solutions.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Strengthen the pipeline of effective new teachers and school leaders in the region; and
• Promote system-level approaches to teacher and school leader training to advance student success.

College Success

• Strengthen the systems that increase college completion

Education beyond high school provides expanded career options and greater opportunity for financial stability. However, students across greater Houston face numerous barriers to achieving post-secondary success. Houston Endowment seeks to strengthen the systems that promote college readiness and access and support college persistence and completion, with a focus on students from under-resourced backgrounds. The foundation has a particular interest in collaborative initiatives that coordinate multiple systems to support these students.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Increase the number of high school students who are college-ready;
• Support college access programs; and
• Invest in innovative programs in which multiple systems collaborate to support students.

Stronger Region

Strengthen the capacity and resiliency of greater Houston

Healthy Environment

• Protect the air, land and water resources that benefit the region’s residents

aGreater Houston sits at the confluence of a number of distinct ecosystems, each providing benefits to local residents, such as reducing urban flooding and improving air and water quality. Houston Endowment seeks to preserve valuable natural resources so that all residents can thrive as the region grows.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Understand and communicate the conditions of the natural environment, estimate future risks and assess opportunities for improvement;
• Encourage stakeholders to advance policy and practice change;
• Engage communities in efforts to protect natural resources;
• Leverage public and private resources to protect valuable lands; and
• Strengthen the capacity of organizations that carry out strategic resource protection efforts.

Strong Urban Landscape

• Ensure sustainable development patterns, efficient transportation and safe neighborhoods

Houston faces housing, mobility and infrastructure challenges that negatively impact access to opportunity, quality of life and the local environment. Houston Endowment seeks to foster urban environments with sustainable development patterns that provide all of Houston’s residents with vibrant neighborhoods, access to efficient transportation and safe streets for walking and bicycling.

The foundation currently engages in efforts to:

• Understand and communicate the conditions of the urban environment, estimate future risks and assess opportunities for improvement;
• Encourage stakeholders to engage in urban planning and advance policy and practice change;
• Engage communities in efforts to advocate for a high-functioning urban environment; and
• Strengthen the capacity of organizations that carry out strategic urban development efforts.

Preparing for the Future

• Increase the region’s capacity to plan for future needs

As one of the fastest growing and most diverse metropolitan areas of the country, greater Houston faces a number of complex challenges related to rapid growth, geographic spread and a multiplicity of public entities. Houston Endowment supports public and private sector initiatives to strengthen the region’s ability to meet the needs of residents today and help its leaders more effectively plan for the future.

• While by their nature these types of investments are unique, they may be focused on one or more of the following:
• Increasing informed civic engagement;
• Empowering residents to be effective advocates regarding key community issues;
• Providing reliable data and information to help decision-makers act to protect and enhance the well-being of residents; or
• Building the capacity of institutions to plan for, prevent or respond to climate change, natural disasters or other serious and widespread threats to the population.

 A number of initiatives within our other focus areas also contribute toward building the capacity and resiliency of the region.

Types of Investments

Houston Endowment makes grants for a wide range of purposes to organizations and entities serving greater Houston. Houston Endowment is open to providing funding for appropriate administrative expenses related to relevant operations.

• Building Capacity Grants are for efforts intended to strengthen organizations by expanding institutional knowledge, skills or abilities that will be maintained over time. This effort must be likely to lead to demonstrably better results for the people the organization serves.
• Capital Improvement Grants are for the acquisition, construction or improvement of a physical asset that is critical in order to obtain demonstrably better results for the people the organization serves.
• General Operating Support are unrestricted funds for organizations that are strongly aligned with the program goals of the foundation and operate effectively with ambitious, clearly defined strategic priorities that benefit the greater Houston area.
• Project Support Grants are for programs or projects sponsored by entities that have a verifiable record of success leading to measurable results. Existing programs, expanding programs, new programs and onetime projects are eligible.
• Public Policy and Engagement Grants are for efforts to inform public decision-making and improve the public’s ability to address a specific issue affecting a clearly defined population. Examples include community engagement activities, efforts to educate stakeholders and policymakers and public awareness initiatives. At a minimum, applications must demonstrate that the proposed effort is well researched and will lead to benefits for the defined population.
• Research Grants are for investigations that provide actionable data on a particular field through objective analysis of a specific system, issue or condition that affects greater Houston or its residents. At a minimum, applications must demonstrate that the proposed research is rigorously designed and will have the potential to make a significant impact on the system, issue or condition being investigated.

We provide grants throughout the state within our program areas and also our initiatives in environment, public education, and mental health. On rare occasions, grants are awarded to organizations outside of Texas for a program or project that directly benefits the people of Texas.

What We Fund

Grants are made in five categories:

Arts and Culture

Our founders were passionate about the arts’ ability to illuminate and reflect our communities, reimagine conversations, interpret collective identity, promote public engagement, and preserve memories. We support organizations throughout the state that provide opportunities for all Texans to experience and benefit from the arts. Our most significant partner is Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts and the Meadows Museum.

Civic and Public Affairs

The social fabric of communities is enhanced when effective civic leadership and healthy public systems are combined with a strong network of nonprofit organizations. We assist communities in developing leadership talent, promoting civic and public collaboration, supporting nonprofits through management and capacity-building, and improving processes and infrastructures for delivery of services to all residents. We also recognize the importance of animals and the role they have in many people’s lives. We fund projects that improve their welfare and enhance the human-animal connection.

Education

The link between quality of education and quality of life is undeniable. Knowledge empowers choices that influence our social and family environment, health and mental well-being, home and community, and career and income. Each additional year of schooling increases earnings by 8-10%. In addition, early reading, high-quality instructors, access to equitable resources, and high expectations for all students improve life-long study skills and academic achievements.

Health

Access to quality health care is essential. Health programs that offer a chance to rethink what can be accomplished with new knowledge and technology ultimately lead to Texans living healthier lives. We invest in programs and initiatives that promote innovation in services and delivery and strengthen the ecosystem of care.

Human Services

In communities across Texas, people face overwhelming challenges and times of personal or family crisis. We support programs and agencies that thoughtfully weave compassion and respect into the support systems that improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable Texans. We also place emphasis on supporting efforts that systematically reduce homelessness in the Dallas area.

Initiatives

Three initiatives are linked to our long-term goals and account for 50-60% of our giving every year: environment, public education, and mental health. Requests in these areas receive priority emphasis in the review process.

Environment

With our population in Texas expected to increase by 73% to 51.5 million people in 2070, the impacts on our environment will be significant.

We focus on systematic ways to preserve our rich ecological and biological diversity for future generations while meeting our growing needs.

Areas we support:

• Sustainable and efficient energy programs
• Restoration and protection of plant and wildlife habitats
• Public support for protecting environmental resources
• Engagement of underrepresented populations in experiencing and protecting natural resources

We have an increased emphasis on:

• Clean water and sound management strategies
• Current and future climate change mitigation

Public Education

The link between quality of education and quality of life is undeniable. Knowledge empowers choices that influence our social and family environment, health and mental well-being, home and community, and career and income.

Each additional year of schooling increases earnings by 8-10%. In addition, early reading, high-quality instructors, access to equitable resources, and high expectations for all students improve life-long study skills and academic achievements.

Areas we support:

• Early childhood education
• High-quality, competency-based teacher preparation
• Postsecondary attainment for first-generation college students

Mental Health

Emotional and mental health impacts all of us. Yet, only 39% of adults in Texas who needed mental health treatment in the last year received any.

In most areas, access to effective mental health care is difficult due to workforce shortages as well as linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers.

Whether it is a chronic illness or a short-lived event, every Texan deserves the care they need, when and where they need it.

Areas we support:

• Integration of services into primary care settings
• Systemwide approaches that identify and treat depression using validated measures that track symptoms and outcomes
• Research and advocacy to increase access to effective mental health care

Our Purpose

Improving life potential for children and families through innovative education partners. 

The mission of the Donegan Burns Foundation is to provide grants for the literacy and after-school programs as well as scholarships for deserving youth. Over the last six years the foundation has awarded grants to elementary schools to meet the needs of students with learning differences. The foundation has also provided program funding for Boys and Girls clubs.

Our current priorities include:

• Technology grants to be used for student assessment
• Student testing and intervention training grants for teachers
• After-school programs that support literacy efforts
• Student Scholarships

Donegan Burns provides on average eight grants per year of approximately $15,000 each.

Testing and Intervention Grants for In-School and After-school Programs. 

The Testing and Intervention grant provides up to $25,000 for the implementation of testing and intervention for children in first through third grades (in schools) and for children ages 5 -15 (in after-school programs). The cost of technology, materials, and training is covered. The grant supports organizations which place at risk children in a specialized learning program as early as possible. The grant enables schools, after-school programs and children’s organizations to:

• Test children in grades 1 – 3 (in schools) or children ages 5 – 15 (in after-school programs).
• Identify the 10 – 15% of children at risk for learning differences.
• Assign at risk children 30 – 60 minutes per day specialized reading instruction.
• Track progress and perform individual interventions.
• Provide learning process evaluation and clinical tutoring for those who need intense, one-on-one support.

Covered expenses for program and technology include:

Program

• Teacher Training: attend workshops, conferences or receive training in alternative teaching methods.
• Parent Education: provide workshops or purchase materials that educate parents on how to support a child with learning differences.
• Online Evaluation and Clinical Tutoring: provide online learning process evaluation and clinical tutoring services for children who do not respond to traditional interventions. This is very useful for smaller schools or remote schools that lack personnel or access to local providers.

Technology

• Assistive Technology: devices that read books, spelling and grammar software.
• Hardware: computers, headphones, interactive displays.
• Internet: broadband Service

Grant Outcomes

The Testing and Intervention Grant allows schools, after-school programs and children’s organizations to implement testing and intervention for learning differences in the first through third grade (in schools) and for ages 5 – 15 (in after school programs). Grantees identify appropriate testing and educational software that may help them accomplish the following:

• Complete a profile to gain insights into the strengths and weaknesses of their students.
• Use insights to inform decisions on class assignments, teaching methods and placement of students at risk.
• Place children in an appropriate program that meets their needs and provide parent support. Many children advance one or more reading grade levels in 3 – 9 months of intervention.
• Track progress and recommend children who do not progress for a evaluation to determine other causes.
• Compare the test results to changes in standardized tests the organization can measure the educational impact of the program and improve the design of future learning interventions.

Funds may be used to designate a learning intervention “coach” who may be an administrator, teacher or education professional. He or she will manage the program, guide children and their parents through the academic intervention, track progress and results, interact with parents, and report results to their organization and the foundation. Additionally, we recommend the school use part of the grant for workshops, seminars or other programs that prepare reading coaches in multi-sensory teaching and strengths-based education methods.

PLTW Launch

This PLTW Launch grant opportunity is part of Chevron's continuing commitment to quality educational experiences for students across America This support will help expand Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs in schools in the Houston area of Texas.

This commitment is part of Chevron's long term corporate responsibility program which invests in tomorrow's work force by addressing educational and workforce development challenges throughout the United States.

Since 2009, Chevron has committed over $18 million to PLTW nationally, providing transformative educational experiences for K-12 students and teachers in California, New Mexico, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington, D.C. and the API region. As a result, almost 315,000 students and 8,700 teachers have had access to PLTW programs and teacher professional development.

PLTW Program Status: Program Expansion