Greater Texas Foundation
type: channel
date: 2026-05-12T18:30:27Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
generator agent: https://wordpress.org/
items: Vista: February 2026
items: Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people
items: Vista: November 2025
items: Vista: August 2025
items: How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students?
items: Vista: June 2025
items: Vista: April 2025
items: Strategic Plan 2025-29
items: Dr. Samuel Gillespie looks back
items: Vista: November 2024

Vista: February 2026
type: item
creator: wpfix
date: 2026-03-01T17:39:51Z
subject: Newsletter
description: New Report | Innovation with Heart Community colleges are where nearly half of Texas students begin their postsecondary journey—and they’re also where some of the most impactful innovation is happening. Our new report, Innovation with Heart: How Texas Community Colleges Are Changing the Student Experience, highlights how Texas community colleges are:• Removing barriers to student success• Building systems that ... The post Vista: February 2026 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> New Report | Innovation with Heart Community colleges are where nearly half of Texas students begin their postsecondary journey—and they’re also where some of the most impactful innovation is happening. <img decoding="async" width="800" height="523" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-1024x669.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-21658" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-300x196.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-768x502.jpg 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-1536x1004.jpg 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-2048x1338.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Our new report, Innovation with Heart: How T…

Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people
type: item
creator: wpfix
date: 2026-02-23T23:27:28Z
subject: Stories
description: Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people A conversation about the importance of hope Dr. Donald E. Thompson was hired as a consultant in 2006 to help Greater Texas Foundation establish its new structure as a charitable foundation and draft its first strategic plan. In 2014, he joined the board of directors and served ... The post Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people A conversation about the importance of hope Dr. Donald E. Thompson was hired as a consultant in 2006 to help Greater Texas Foundation establish its new structure as a charitable foundation and draft its first strategic plan. In 2014, he joined the board of directors and served through 2025, drawing on his research expertise to chair the board’s Strategy & Learning Committee. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="757" height="1103" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-20279" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002.jpg 757w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002-206x300.jpg 206w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002-703x1024.jpg 703w" sizes="(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="513" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-768x513.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-20278" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-768x513.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-300x200.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-1024x684.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-1536x1025.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> Dr. Thompson at the dedication of the Student Services Suite and Deans Area in the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University. Dr. Thompson is a professor emeritus in the department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology at Western Michigan University, where he previously s…

Vista: November 2025
type: item
creator: wpfix
date: 2025-11-12T23:23:41Z
subject: Newsletter
description: Opportunity Youth in Texas: What’s Changed Since 2021? Longtime partners may recall that in 2021, Greater Texas Foundation partnered with Trellis Foundation and T.L.L. Temple Foundation to convene more than 80 people around the question: “What would it take to reconnect Opportunity Youth to education and work equitably and at scale across Texas?” This convening ... The post Vista: November 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Opportunity Youth in Texas: What’s Changed Since 2021? Longtime partners may recall that in 2021, Greater Texas Foundation partnered with Trellis Foundation and T.L.L. Temple Foundation to convene more than 80 people around the question: “What would it take to reconnect Opportunity Youth to education and work equitably and at scale across Texas?” This convening coincided with the launch of the Texas Opportunity Youth Network and an $1 million Innovation Fund. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="524" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19866" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627.jpg 800w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627-300x197.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627-768x503.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> This year, we checked back …

Vista: August 2025
type: item
creator: wpfix
date: 2025-08-13T01:05:20Z
subject: Newsletter
description: How to achieve human connection on a system-wide scale? Year after year, analysis of our GTF Scholars program shows that human supports matter to student success in college, oftentimes even more than scholarship funding. Recently, a journal article and a report authored by outside evaluators shared the experiences of both college students and the staff who work with them to demonstrate ... The post Vista: August 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> How to achieve human connection on a system-wide scale? Year after year, analysis of our GTF Scholars program shows that human supports matter to student success in college, oftentimes even more than scholarship funding. Recently, a journal article and a report authored by outside evaluators shared the experiences of both college students and the staff who work with them to demonstrate the power of human connection. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="524" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19886" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c.jpg 993w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c-300x197.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c-768x503.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Admittedly, this is one program serving a relatively small population o…

How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students?
type: item
creator: Joanna Holden
date: 2025-07-15T16:46:47Z
subject: Stories
description: How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? Everything we do at Greater Texas Foundation is focused on helping Texas students achieve postsecondary success. Part of that work includes our long-running GTF Scholars initiative, a scholarship program for graduates of Texas Early College High Schools (ECHS). And year ... The post How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? Everything we do at Greater Texas Foundation is focused on helping Texas students achieve postsecondary success. Part of that work includes our long-running GTF Scholars initiative, a scholarship program for graduates of Texas Early College High Schools (ECHS). And year after year, analyses of the GTF Scholars program show that, even more than scholarship funding, human supports are essential to student success in college. A newly published article by our evaluation team emphasizes how much a caring professional can mean to a student, especially in a time where technological solutions are becoming more and more common. While we understand the importance of affordability and financial support, numerous focus groups with students and GTF Scholars program leads have demonstrated the power of human connection to student persistence, even during difficult circumstances like COVID. And what do we mean by human connections? Having an adult on campus who is invested in your success. Working with a peer mentor to learn time management skills. Being part of a cohort of learners with similar life experiences. In short, this is people-to-people work. We are proud of the outcomes – both the stories of student success and the learning to share with the field. We also understand this is one program serving a relatively small population of students in a state with 1.4 million postsecondary students at public and private institutions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="549" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142-768x549.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-19765" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142-768x549.jpg 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142-300x2…

Vista: June 2025
type: item
creator: wpfix
date: 2025-06-10T16:32:21Z
subject: Newsletter
description: Annual Report:How to make higher education work for 1.4 million students. We know each Texas learner is different and has their own unique journey to and through postsecondary education, and Texas’ higher education systems continuously strive to support all learners. To help institutions meet students where they are, the foundation supports research and practice that can be ... The post Vista: June 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Annual Report: How to make higher education work for 1.4 million students. We know each Texas learner is different and has their own unique journey to and through postsecondary education, and Texas’ higher education systems continuously strive to support all learners. To help institutions meet students where they are, the foundation supports research and practice that can be used throughout the state to better support all learners, no matter their background or current situation. By funding research, innovative and scalable programs, and convenings with practitioners in the field, Greater Texas Foundation supports student-centered solutions that make the education journey more seamless for all students. In this Annual Report, we take a five-year view to share notes and learning from work done by 30+ partners across our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. Read the Report <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="407" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9b713d43-40fc-947a-703c-afccfcf3e989.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19574" alt="" srcset="http…

Vista: April 2025
type: item
creator: wpfix
date: 2025-04-29T16:36:48Z
subject: Newsletter
description: New Strategic Plan already has momentum Building on the success of our prior work, Greater Texas Foundation has crafted a new Strategic Plan for 2025-29 that is an evolution of our grantmaking focus and a recommitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing. We unveiled the details of the new Strategic Plan at a webinar last December 9, attended ... The post Vista: April 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> New Strategic Plan already has momentum Building on the success of our prior work, Greater Texas Foundation has crafted a new Strategic Plan for 2025-29 that is an evolution of our grantmaking focus and a recommitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="334" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-1024x427.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-18618" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-1024x427.jpg 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-300x125.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-768x320.jpg 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d.jpg 1208w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> We unveiled the details of the new Strategic Plan at a webinar last December 9, attended by over 250 gra…

Strategic Plan 2025-29
type: item
creator: Joanna Holden
date: 2025-01-24T16:57:54Z
subject: Stories
description: Widening the horizons of opportunity for more Texas learners The post Strategic Plan 2025-29 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: Widening the horizons of opportunity for more Texas learners The post Strategic Plan 2025-29 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.

Dr. Samuel Gillespie looks back
type: item
creator: Joanna Holden
date: 2025-01-20T15:50:14Z
subject: Stories
description: This professor of marketing is also a student of history The post Dr. Samuel Gillespie looks back first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: This professor of marketing is also a student of history The post Dr. Samuel Gillespie looks back first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.

Vista: November 2024
type: item
creator: Joanna Holden
date: 2024-11-06T22:55:11Z
subject: Newsletter
description: Look what we accomplished together! In 2020, Greater Texas Foundation launched a new strategic plan, carefully structured to meet the needs of Texas learners. Partners and changemakers across Texas responded by bringing us hundreds of innovative proposals to consider. Working together, we have achieved significant progress towards helping more Texas learners achieve a valuable postsecondary ... The post Vista: November 2024 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
encoded: <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Look what we accomplished together! In 2020, Greater Texas Foundation launched a new strategic plan, carefully structured to meet the needs of Texas learners. Partners and changemakers across Texas responded by bringing us hundreds of innovative proposals to consider. Working together, we have achieved significant progress towards helping more Texas learners achieve a valuable postsecondary credential. Five years later, we are pleased to reflect on the important work of our strategic plan. This Impact Report is a moment to pause, measure the results, and celebrate our collective accomplishments. Of course, there is important work still to be done in our state. We are putting the finishing touches on our next strategic plan, and are excited to introduce it to you in December. Read on…. In the last five years, $58 million in GTF funding went to 117 programs and benefited 1.2 million learners across Texas. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="395" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01-1024x505.png" class="attachment…