LISC Houston is excited to announce the awardees of our 2024 Small Grants Program, a year marked by a record-breaking number of submissions. This surge in applications reflects the growing enthusiasm and innovation within our communities, as more organizations than ever seek to drive positive change through community-led projects.
Since its launch in 2015, the Small Grants Program has been a cornerstone of our efforts to support comprehensive community development across Houston. By providing flexible funding for resident-led initiatives, we empower neighborhoods to address local challenges and seize opportunities for growth.
In 2024, our program continues to focus on comprehensive community development, a holistic approach that uplifts neighborhoods through projects that intersect people, places, and systems. This strategy is built on a foundation of inclusive resident engagement, recognizing that sustainable change comes from within the community itself.
In selecting the 2024 Small Grant awardees, LISC Houston took great care to ensure an equitable distribution of funding across diverse neighborhoods and focus areas. Our goal was to support a wide range of projects that address the unique needs of each community, from education and health to creative placemaking and disaster resilience. By thoughtfully allocating resources, we aim to empower residents and organizations throughout Houston to drive positive change and foster inclusive growth. This approach underscores our commitment to building a more equitable and resilient city for all its residents.
Meet the 2024 Awardees:
Amaanah Refugee Services: Amaanah Community Cup - A sports tournament designed to unite young adults and raise awareness for the refugee community in Acres Homes. (Focus Area: Sports & Recreation)
The Sanders Hand: Young Billionaires Club - Offering financial literacy and entrepreneurship education for ages 12-55 in Alief, promoting family financial stability and workforce development. (Focus Area: Family Financial Stability & Workforce)
Houston Community Tool Bank: Tool School for the Home - Providing hands-on tool training workshops to empower residents in Denver Harbor/Port Houston. (Focus Area: Education)
Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus: Cantamos en mi Barrio - A bilingual music camp for children aged 4-7 in the Fifth Ward, fostering early learning through the arts. (Focus Area: Childcare/Early Learning)
Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood 67: Lotscapes & Lyrics - Transforming a vacant lot into a vibrant space for cultural expression in the Greater Third Ward. (Focus Area: Creative Placemaking)
Emancipation Economic Development Council: Lots to Love - Revitalizing vacant land into a community garden with green infrastructure in the Greater Third Ward. (Focus Area: Economic Development)
Latinos for Education: Community Partners - Equipping parents and communities in Gulfton through coalition engagement to advance educational policies and practices. (Focus Area: Education)
Fit Houston: Eat Healthy and #WALK30 in Gulfton - Promoting physical activity and healthy living through community walking groups and cooking classes. (Focus Area: Health)
By Our Hands: Grandparents and Me Balance Biking - An inclusive program for grandparents and grandchildren in Kashmere/Trinity/Houston Gardens to learn to ride bikes together. (Focus Area: Education)
Dr. Robert Santee & Associates: Silver Wheels Houston - Providing reliable and safe transportation options for seniors in OST/South Union. (Focus Area: Transportation)
New Hope Housing: Carnegie's Cupboard - Ensuring the ongoing availability of an onsite food pantry for residents in Sharpstown. (Focus Area: Health)
Woori Juntos: Woori Juntos Disaster Kits - Creating and distributing disaster kits for Asian and immigrant community members in Spring Branch. (Focus Area: Disaster Resilience)
Southside Jets Youth Organization: Southside Sports & Family Fest - Bringing the Sunnyside community together for sports, recreation, and family fun. (Focus Area: Sports & Recreation)
The Small Grants Program has funded hundreds of projects, engaging over 52,000 participants and leveraging millions towards community building. This year, we are excited to chart a new course, broadening our scope to encompass more neighborhoods and expanding our areas of focus.
LISC Houston's Small Grants Program continues to support a broad spectrum of community-driven projects, each contributing to the vitality and resilience of Houston's neighborhoods. Our focus areas include:
Education: Empowering communities through learning and skill development.
Health: Promoting well-being and access to essential health resources.
Sports & Recreation: Fostering community engagement and healthy lifestyles.
Childcare/Early Learning: Supporting early childhood education and care.
Creative Placemaking: Enhancing spaces for cultural expression and community pride.
Disaster Resilience: Preparing communities for emergencies and natural disasters.
Economic Development: Stimulating growth and revitalization in local economies.
Family Financial Stability & Workforce: Building financial literacy and employment opportunities.
Transportation: Ensuring accessibility and mobility for all community members.
Through these focus areas, we support projects that build stronger, more sustainable neighborhoods. By empowering community residents and local organizations to address interconnected challenges, we hope to create vibrant and resilient communities. Together, we are building a city where every neighborhood can thrive, and every resident has the opportunity to live, work, and play in their neighborhood with pride.
As we celebrate the 2024 awardees, please continue to check our website for community events and opportunities to support this year’s grantee.
For more information, please contact Carolyn Andrews, Community Development Program Officer, at candrews@lisc.org.
