The Initiative
Our purpose
Building a more vibrant Houston region
with opportunity for all.
Together, we are measuring what matters to do what matters.
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.
We believe informed, collaborative action across sectors can be a powerful force in making Houston a more vibrant region with opportunity for all.
To learn more about our platform visit Frequently Asked Questions.
Our approach
Collaboration
We believe in one community. As a philanthropic hub, Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation) works with philanthropic Houstonians to amplify their impact in our community. Since 1995, the Foundation has helped Houston thrive by convening resources to drive philanthropy in our community, partnering with a wide range of diverse donors, advisors, businesses, and foundations to maximize philanthropic impact.
To build Understanding Houston, the Foundation worked collaboratively to aggregate data across multiple sources to provide an accessible, one-stop platform for understanding key quality of life issues in Houston’s three most populous counties—Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties. And we will continue to work with others as we discover more about quality of life in our region and work in partnership to create a more vibrant region with opportunity for all.
Helping donors make a difference
This initiative will also use this knowledge to directly engage with Foundation donors and other stakeholders in order to drive informed decision-making on issues that matter.
About us
Greater Houston Community Foundation
For 30 years, Greater Houston Community Foundation’s mission has been to grow effective philanthropy by connecting donors to the causes they care about, providing excellent stewardship of assets entrusted to us, and convening resources to address important community needs. Through the vision and generosity of our donor community, we are one of the largest grant makers in the region—over $259.4 million was distributed to nonprofit organizations in 2024 through the Foundation. Since our founding in 1995, donors have distributed over $2.2 billion in grants through Greater Houston Community Foundation.
The Foundation believes that strategic philanthropy, collaborative leadership, and collective action—bringing donors and community leaders together—are essential to ensuring Houston remains a thriving place of opportunity for generations to come. Understanding Houston, a cornerstone of our Community Impact work, embodies the Foundation’s dedication to transforming the city into a hub where philanthropy ignites opportunity and fosters lasting change. Through collective action, we strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of Houston residents.
Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Our strategic research partner, Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research is a multidisciplinary think-and-do tank focused on urban issues in Houston, the American Sun Belt and around the world. Through informed research, as well as data and policy analysis, the Kinder Institute hopes to engage civic and political leaders to implement solutions to critical urban issues.
Tell us how you’re using Understanding Houston.
Get involved by sharing your impact story.
Indicator advisory
committee
Gavin Dillingham
Member
Laura Jaramillo
Committee Chair
Tanweer Kaleemullah
Member
Julie Martineau
Member
Nancy D. McGregor
Member
Margaret Oser
Member
Russell Ramsey
Member
Rocaille Roberts
Member
Dr. Frazier Wilson
Member
Jie Wu
Member
Major supporters
and partners
Founding Partners
$50,000 - $25,000
$24,999 - $10,000
Polly and Murry Bowden
Ann and Peter Fluor
Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne
Bill and Sandy Bryan
Lacey and Matt Goossen
Alexandra and Dave Pruner
Krista and Mike Dumas
Gene Graham
Kim and David Ruth
Terri and Greg Ebel
Sheila and Ron Hulme
Texas Children's Hospital
Episcopal Health Foundation
Mandy and William Kao
$9,999 and under
Eileen Alexander
Dina Alsowayel and Anthony Chase
Anonymous x5
Brenda Asare
Carole and Bruce Bilger
Stephanie Blair
Leslie and Jack Blanton
Craig Brenner
Martha and Mark Carnes
Gracie and Bob Cavnar
CenterPoint Energy
Eileen and Ray Chung
Karen and Gus Comiskey, Jr.
Kathy and Marty Goossen
Annie and Bob Graham
Philip Hawk
Bethany Hays Giving Fund
Elva Huber
Leigh and Chris Joseph & Jennifer and Chris Laporte
Lena Karana
Sarah Kim
Carla Knobloch
Dr. K. Terry Koonce
LinkedIn For Good Fund
Cindy and Frank Liu
John Mackie III
Stephen and Michelle Maislin Charitable Gift Fund
Jackie and Connelly McGreevy & Amy and Michael Walton
Sheila and Steven L. Miller
Lauren and Frost Murphy
John L. Nau, III
Northern Trust
Perry Homes Foundation
Rangers Cottage, LLC
Beth Robertson
Ana Romero
RSM US LLP, Tommy Wright and Carol Warley
Vale A. Russell – Vale Asche Foundation
Cheri Samu
Charles Schwartzel
Riaz Siddiqi
David B. Sprague, Sr.
Carol and Bill St. Clair
Suttle Charitable Fund
Sofia M. Temple
Vivian and Peter Tuters
UTHealth
Mini and Celestine Vettical
The Carol Vobach Fund
Jenna Whyte
Kellye and Kyle Wright
Tommy Wright
Chris and Sarah Weekley
Lori and Scott Wulfe
Sally and John Young