For 25 years, Greater Texas Foundation has led with the belief that lasting change happens through partnership. The greatest progress for Texas learners has come not from the foundation acting alone, but from educators, institutions, communities, policymakers, and philanthropists working together.
During our anniversary year, we are celebrating the people, partnerships, and ideas that have shaped our journey—and inviting you, our partners, to join in building the next generation of solutions to benefit Texas learners.
“Collaboration and partnership are first among our core values.”
Sue McMillin, Greater Texas Foundation
$2.5 MILLION FOR NEW PATHWAYS
To mark this 25th anniversary, Greater Texas Foundation has dedicated $2.5 million to support Texas public community colleges and public technical colleges in creating efficient pathways that lead to living-wage careers or seamless transfer to four-year institutions.
Response to the RFP has been tremendous, showing a strong commitment from Texas’ two-year colleges to building innovative and impactful pathways to career preparation or degree completion. We are gratified to see momentum increasing across the field for innovative pathways.
We will announce our grant recipients later this fall. Stay tuned!
“A postsecondary credential helps to catapult individuals, families, and communities out of poverty. And the more degrees secured by Texans the more vibrant and innovative the state will be.”
Tina Gridiron, Greater Texas Foundation
CONVENING AND LEARNING TOGETHER
See you at NCAN
In early October, we are heading to the NCAN National Conference in Las Vegas, for networking, learning, and sharing ideas. GTF is proudly sponsoring the Rural Strategies conference track.
Also, our VP of Programs & Strategy Leslie Gurrola will present in two sessions.
- Grantseeking 201–Three funders will reflect on trends in the postsecondary attainment field and in philanthropy.
- Completing the Rural Talent Pipeline: Connecting High School Pathways to Adult Workforce Credentials–presented with Deep East Texas College & Career Alliance
Presenting at GFE Annual Conference
The GTF team will be at Grantmakers for Education to learn about the latest trends in the field. Leslie will present with long-time GTF partner E3 Alliance on a panel titled, “Beyond Averages: Using Disaggregated Data to Improve Postsecondary and Economic Mobility.”
Creating a caring campus environment
Then, in November, GTF will help sponsor the Caring Campus Conference. Nashville will be the venue for three days of inspiration, collaboration, and proven strategies to strengthen student success on your own campus.
Want to learn more about the Caring Campus initiative? Read about our grant support for the program.
Other opportunities for networking and learning
In the coming weeks, you will also find GTF staff at the National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) conference in San Antonio, Texas and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) conference in Pittsburgh. We look forward to seeing our partners at these great opportunities for learning.
Recent Grants
In its history, Greater Texas Foundation has awarded more than 1,000 grants to changemakers in Texas education. Every grant represents people working together to help more Texans succeed beyond high school. In July, we announced grants to the following organizations for projects that align with our Strategic Plan:
Communities Foundation of Texas, Inc.
Using AI to Improve Transfer Pathways for Texas Students
$1,546,875
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Inc.
Expanding Support for Low-Income Adult Learners
$171,878
Economic Mobility Center
Building Stronger Rural Pathways From High School to Work
$1 million
Jobs for the Future, Inc.
Building Stronger Pathways for Opportunity Youth in the Coastal Bend
$404,626
Texas Appleseed
Examining the Impact of Unpaid Balances on College Enrollment
$75,013
University of Houston – Downtown
Reconnecting Stop-Out Students to Degree Completion
$600,000
“Looking back over the last two decades, I'm most proud of the lives that GTF has helped change. We've helped create opportunities for countless students to pursue education and careers that they may not have otherwise imagined.”
Erin Arnold, Greater Texas Foundation
