PEOPLE
Meghna Goswami Civic engagement program director, Houston Endowment
Houston Endowment is a Houston-based organization committed to addressing its community’s challenges and reducing barriers to opportunities. The three priorities for the foundation include civic engagement, public pre-K-12 education, and arts and parks. Houston Endowment Program Director Meghna Goswami shared insights on Houston Endowment’s commitment to increase civic engagement across the Greater Houston area. The civic engagement team seeks to strengthen access to civic and electoral processes. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. BY ASIA ARMOUR TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT. Friendly Campus Project to make 100% of Houston-area community colleges and universities voter friendly by identifying and implementing
PROGRAMS AND PRIORITIES Houston Endowment’s Civic
help people be active participants in building and strengthening their communities. ... We speci cally focus on voter participation; civic integration of immigrants; and local, independent journalism. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR VOTERS AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION? Take advantage of early voting to avoid long lines on Election Day. We encourage all registered voters to vote in this election and all future elections that arise in our community. This region is our home, and voting is one the most important ways for you to use your voice. WHAT ARE SOME INITIATIVES YOUR TEAM IS DEVELOPING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO CIVIC AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES? As a nonpartisan organization, we want all eligible voters to be able to vote in safe, secure and accessible elections. We work very closely with our partners to listen to the needs of the community and identify areas where our grants can have the greatest impact. One of many projects we are currently funding is the Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project. We recently provided a grant to its Voter
Engagement program is one of three programs meant to continue the legacy of its founders. Each is designed to promote access to education, civic participation and the arts. Increase informed civic engagement in the region through democracy, civic integration of immigrants and independent local journalism CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Increase the number of children who graduate high school with choices, strengthen the pipeline of supported teachers, and sustain access to high- quality schools for all families PRE K 12 PUBLIC EDUCATION Residents in the Katy area can seek information about the November general election and where to vote. VOTER INFO Ensure residents can connect and create by maintaining and strengthening a local arts scene, emerging cultural organizations and community connectivity through green spaces ARTS AND PARKS
Houston Endowment is a nonpar- tisan, private foundation that will provide over $100 million this year in charitable grants to organizations that address some of our community’s most signi cant challenges. We’ve been a part of the community for 85 years. ... Today, our priorities are to increase informed civic engagement, strengthen public pre- K-12 education, and enhance Greater Houston’s arts, cultural organizations, and green spaces. Our team partners with nonpro t and civic leaders to identify and support initiatives that increase civic engagement in our region. Our work is very collaborative, and we know that the outcome we seek can only be accomplished by working together. HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT? Civic engagement encompasses a broad spectrum of activities and can be de ned in a number of ways, including building community connections, government interac- tions, voluntary associations and everything in between. Our civic engagement work is intended to
opportunities to boost student voting. We’re looking forward to empowering the next generation of voters to actively participate in our democracy. HOW CAN VOTERS LEARN MORE ABOUT CANDIDATES AND ISSUES ON THE BALLOT? There are a number of informative, nonpartisan voters guides—including vote411.org published by the League of Women Voters—that provide individ- uals with insight about the upcoming election and the candidates running. We encourage voters to take advantage of these resources so that they can make informed decisions. WHAT ARE SOME OUTREACH TOOLS FOR VOTER PARTICI PATION THAT HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE? It will take all of us—individuals, congregations, schools, businesses, nonpro ts and other organizations alike—to increase voter participation. Some businesses have aided in this e ort and given employees paid time o to vote or to work at polls. That’s a great way for organizations to encour- age voting for their employees.
• www.vote411.org • www.co.waller.tx.us • www.harrisvotes.com • www.fortbendcountytx.gov SOURCE: HOUSTON ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
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4747 FM 1463, Suite 1000 Katy, TX 77494 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org
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KATY EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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