With the 50th anniversary of the Mitchell family’s entrée into the Woodlands, City Lifestyle celebrates not only their legacy of giving, but also the inspiring largesse of the many donors – the small but mighty and the quite grand - who are on the ground, day by day, making sure needs are met.
Their common belief is grounded in a quote by businessman Eli Broad, who donated more than $4B to charity and ranked as the 233rd wealthiest person in the world by Forbes - “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,” noted by Angie Synek, Chief Development Officer of Mental Health America of Greater Houston, which oversees Mosaics of Mercy.
Not surprisingly, the George and Cynthia Mitchell Foundation has a total giving in the arena upwards of $7.8M, followed by The Woodforest Charitable Foundation, clocking in at $4.2M with North Harris Montgomery Community College District at $2.933M. Eighteen of the foundations give in the arts, culture or humanities arena. Eight give to professional alliances or advocacy, according to Instrumental, a project tracking platform for non-profits.
For some, the focus is hyperlocal. All Ears! Center opened in 2014. They started with six children and now serve over 450 children. “We’re beginning our 10th year,” says Lee Rech, Executive Rech, Executive Director of All Ears! Center. “The Woodlands has so many non-profits working for the good of the underprivileged and needy. The generosity and support given by so many community leaders and individuals is astounding. The comradery and collaboration among the non-profits are equally impressive. A telling statement about the giving hearts striving to make a difference for the benefit of others.
Rech notes her volunteers are getting younger. “It’s wonderful to see the expanding age demographic of our volunteers. I think it speaks to a widespread message about the importance of giving within our community.”
Her favorite quote about giving/philanthropy comes from Jon M. Huntsman. “Wealth isn’t always measured in dollar signs. We each have time, talent, and creativity, all of which can be powerful forces for positive change. Share your blessings in whatever form they come and to whatever level you have been blessed."
Mosaics of Mercy, at 33114 Forest West in Magnolia opened in 2016, bridging the needs of families to valuable mental health resources. “Mosaics of Mercy has grown rapidly in terms of impact, and will serve more than 3,000 members of Montgomery County in 2023 – helping them navigate mental health and substance use by connecting them with the resources they need,” says Evan Berlin, board member.
"Our volunteer demographic is exceptionally special to Mosaics of Mercy, as many of those we serve are school age children and their families. We are fortunate to have many local parent-child groups volunteer and support their peers (such as National Charity League, NCR, and the Junior League). As the need for our services grows so does our need for volunteers and donors alike.”
“The Woodlands is a very generous community and what is most impactful is residents focus on real issues and give to organizations making a tangible difference. In the Woodlands and Montgomery County, suicide rates exceed those of the state and nation; so, the work Mosaics does not only help those in need get the help, but we help break down stigmas surrounding mental health and substance use to save lives in the future.”
Mental Health America of Greater Houston, is one of the older non-profits in the area. Founded in 1954 by Miss Ima Hogg, Mental Health America celebrates its 70th anniversary next year. “It is the area’s longest-serving mental health education and advocacy nonprofit,” says Angie Synek, Chief Development Officer.
“MHA of Greater Houston has seen an increase in charitable donations and activism from the Woodlands, Conroe, and other areas in Montgomery County over the past couple years,” says Synek. “I attribute this to the fact that one of our most ardent board members. Mark Freeman, the CEO of ProDirectional, located in Conroe, has been a passionate voice for mental wellness. Of course, we can’t deny the fact that many of us, maybe for the first time in our lives, experienced anxiety, depression, and perhaps even suicidal ideations because of the pandemic. People who live through difficult experiences like that tend to develop more empathy for others who are suffering. Making a gift to a nonprofit like MHA of Greater Houston allows you to join forces with other likeminded people in creating a better quality of life for the most vulnerable among us.”
Others approach with a broader brush. “Giving is an investment in the future of our communities,” says Steve Lufburrow, President & CEO, Goodwill Houston, founded in 1945 by his father, Bill Lufburrow. They have over 80 locations within the Greater Houston area. “Our eight locations in and around The Woodlands brought in over 136,000 donations last year,” says Lufburrow. “Every time someone shops and donates to one of our stores, they are helping to change a life through the power of work. The gently used items that are generously donated to us, we sell in our stores & those funds go directly towards our mission of Changing Lives Through the Power of Work. We serve people with disabilities, at risk youth, the formerly incarcerated, veterans and people with barriers to employment. We educate, train, and hire individuals with barriers to employment to help them thrive. We connect people, families, and communities to improve lives and to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow.”
Other non-profits focus funding on community projects like safer water supply, enhanced school facilities for farmers and herdsmen in Baroda, India, like the Anandi Initiative created by Huntsman, a global firm now headquartered in The Woodlands. Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman Chemicals, a global firm with a substantial presence in more than 30 countries moved their world headquarters to 10003 Woodloch in 2004. Huntsman and his eight children reside in The Woodlands, where he carries his late father Jon Huntsman’s legacy forward. The senior Huntsman pledged $10M for the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah in 1993. In 2008, he received the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor and he and his wife Karen have donated more than $600M to fight cancer. “I and many thousands of associates that work for Huntsman Corporation around the globe are immensely proud that our chairman has chosen to return to society so much of his personal gain from the success of our company,” says Peter Huntsman before his father’s death.
He initiated the Huntsman Scholarship partnership with Spring High, awarding $20K scholarships last year to 16 students. “While our corporate contributions of time and resources take many forms, providing educational opportunities for students in our view is a meaningful way of both giving back to the community and investing in our future.” He also started The Vine mentoring program, assisting students with goal setting and career pathway decisions. Huntsman serves on the boards of Interfaith of The Woodlands, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Memorial Hermann Health System, as well as the board of Overseers for the Wharton School of Business.
Building the infrastructure for enhanced livelihoods resonates strongly with philanthropist George Lindahl, who inherited his passion for giving from his mother, who headed up the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Alabama. “I was in my 20s when I began to see what can happen when one person inspires others to build an organization that can truly make a difference,” says Lindahl. “My mission is to serve the five L’s – the least, the last, the lost, the looked over and the lonely. In the Bible, Jesus says, “What you do for the least of them, do for me.”
Lindahl demonstrates his faith through the sweat equity he puts into building houses for homeless families in Honduras and through building facilities like Reaching Pines in The Woodlands, housing women who are victims of domestic violence for the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter. He also works with Angel Reach, a faith-based non-profit for aged out foster youth at 900 W. Dallas in Conroe. The Texas foster care system is experiencing record high turnover after nearly 1 in 3 employees left their jobs last year. Some workers cite low pay, burnout, and low staffing, as reasons why people are leaving the field. Now, nearly 30% of current caseworkers have less than one year of experience. “Over the last few years, we’ve raised $3M and built 16 duplexes to house the youth,” he says. They are hosting the Angel Reach Road Rally & Scavenger Hunt! Fire Up & Ignite Change for Youth on October 7 at the Owen Theater Parking lot, 225 Metcalf in Conroe. "The real joy in life is in helping someone in need - not a new Mercedes or a Louis Vuitton handbag or a cruise."
Lindahl serves on the board of Interfaith of The Woodlands, Angel Reach of Montgomery County, and Memorial Hermann, which houses Canopy in The Woodlands. He also works with Compassion United to build developments like Miracle City, where a collection of unique outreach programs is housed together. The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church works with them sharing a united vision to holistically empower and equip the homeless, impoverished and addicted to discover a new life that will restore their hope and faith. One of the programs, Joyhouse, houses women in crisis pregnancy.
Habit for Humanity’s Montgomery County Patricia Etris, M.S. and MBA, Interim Director of Strategic Partnerships says giving is up. “We built 17 new homes last year and updated six others,” says Etris, who says much of their building is in the Cedar Creek area. “We’re seeing a new generation of volunteers come out to the building sites – young adults who enjoy making home repairs as well as creating new construction. Recipients of the homes are required to invest 350 hours to qualify for the home, Habitat for Humanity helps them get a no-interest mortgage and they buy the home.”
“Howard Hughes is committed to community-focused philanthropy, including financial donations and volunteerism,” says Kim Phillips, Vice President of Marketing for the Howard Hughes Corporation. “Annually in the Houston region, Howard Hughes supports over 190 charitable causes to make a positive impact in our communities.”
“Fundamentally, fundraising is about uniting the donors' philanthropic dreams with the needs of an organization,” says Larissa Potiomkin, Cotton Foundation Director, serving Harris County since Hurricane Katrina created such a prevalent need to rebuild and restore. “Building authentic relationships, learning what motivates people, and listening to what a donor's purpose is in making a gift will guide conversations and enable to fundraiser to craft an appropriate ask.”