Our grant funding is focused on four core areas to improve lives in Fort Bend County:
Affordable Housing, Education, Human Needs, and Health. Additionally, our Board of Trustees has identified specific areas of critical importance within the four Funding Priorities that warrant strong consideration.
Education
Fort Bend is home to over 125,000 public school students and multiple institutions of higher learning. Seventy different languages are spoken. The Foundation’s education portfolio aims to help students thrive, increase access and opportunity for job training and higher education, and ultimately, provide opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills to build a meaningful life. We have awarded grants for Career Readiness, Dropout Prevention, Early Childhood Education, High Performing Public Education Models, K-12 Public Education, Literacy, and Parenting Education.
The George Foundation is particularly interested in grant applications that establish or support models of excellence in Career Readiness, Early Childhood Education, High Performing Public Education, and Youth Development.
Human Needs
Despite prosperity in Fort Bend, large pockets of poverty still exist in our community. Almost 31% of residents struggle to meet basic needs. Vulnerable populations, including older adults or those with special needs, also face barriers to living a full and dignified life. Helping neighbors get back on their feet or thrive in challenging circumstances is at the heart of our Human Needs investments. We support those working to provide Abuse/Neglect Prevention and Intervention programs, Affordable Housing, Basic Needs, Homeless/Housing Assistance, Law/Legal Assistance, Senior Services, Services to Special Populations, and Youth Development.
The George Foundation is particularly interested in grant applications that establish or support models of excellence in Abuse/Neglect Prevention & Intervention, Basic Needs, Senior Services, and Services to Special Populations.
Health
Albert & Mamie George’s first grant in 1946 funded the construction of the first hospital in Fort Bend County. Today, the Foundation’s healthcare investments build on this legacy by providing a broad spectrum of high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare to the underserved and uninsured in our community. Our grants have supported Addiction Prevention and Intervention, Access to Care for the Uninsured, Behavioral Health, and Services to Special Populations.
The George Foundation is particularly interested in grant applications that establish or support models of excellence in Access to Care for the Uninsured and Mental and Behavioral Health.
Affordable Housing
Housing is considered “affordable” when a household spends less than 30% of its gross income on housing costs, including utilities (HUD definition). When a household is spending above this amount, it is considered “cost-burdened.” 62.3% of renters in Fort Bend County are considered extreme or high housing burden, while 35.8% of homeowners are identified as at extreme or high housing burden.
Our Affordable Housing initiatives aim to bring together the government and the community to support affordable housing in Fort Bend County. The goal is to partner with experienced developers to deliver diverse housing solutions. Integrate affordable housing by partnering with local organizations and financial institutions to create financial education programs focused on budgeting, saving, and credit-building, ensuring potential buyers and renters can qualify for affordable housing options.
*Priorities are listed in bold above.
