The George Foundation: Empowering Fort Bend County Through Generosity and Innovation
For over 78 years, the George Foundation continues its founding legacy of selfless service to the Fort Bend County community. In 2023 alone, the Foundation awarded a staggering $19 million in grants to 103 local nonprofit organizations, according to a recent release, with the Foundation's philanthropic strides spanning from education and healthcare sectors to human needs and community enhancement.
The history of The George Foundation is as illustrious as the story of Texas itself. The founders, Albert and Mamie George, are direct descendants of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old 300” – the pioneers who settled in present-day Fort Bend County. The discovery of oil on The George Ranch in the 1920s catapulted the family into an unforeseen level of wealth. However, amid accumulating fortune tragedy struck when their only child, Davis George, died of infant cholera and their beloved niece, Mary Jones, died in a car accident. With no living heirs, Albert and Mamie George decided to give back to the community that had been good to them, thus creating The George Foundation in 1945.
Now, the foundation's mission echoes the initial vision of these Texas pioneers, providing cultural, educational, economic, and social support to Fort Bend County. Since its creation, the Foundation has awarded an impressive near $270 million in grants to local nonprofits and scholarships recipients that are creating a real impact on thousands of lives in Fort Bend County.
Last year, the organization's firm dedication to improving accessibility to healthcare in the region saw them disburse $2.3 million to support uninsured residents. Additionally, $2 million was committed to increase access to behavioral health services in local schools and throughout the community.
To foster career readiness among the youth and young adults, a significant $3.1 million was invested while $1.9 million was earmarked for scholarships. These scholarships aim to support local high-performing students with financial need, helping them pursue and accomplish their higher education dreams.
The George Foundation's innovative approach and collaborative efforts have been pivotal in their mission. Notably, they collaborated with grantees to secure a $4.5 million investment towards the purchase and renovation of a facility set to become the Flourishment Center. This center is designed to provide a safe haven and resourceful environment for the community's most vulnerable residents, including youth aging out of foster care, single parents and grandparents with children, the working poor, and young adults pursuing workforce certifications and higher education.
Alongside these initiatives, the Foundation is also set to launch the LINC project in 2024. This venture seeks to leverage technology and systems to connect residents with rental assistance and other critical resources in Fort Bend County.
To learn more about The George Foundation and its mission, visit their newly updated website at thegeorgefoundation.org.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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