Who We Are
Every day, people across the country are working to build their American Dream. And while your zip code shouldn’t determine your prospects for success, the reality in too many communities says otherwise.
The Houston Economic Growth Collaborative (HEGC) is a community-led coalition of resident leaders, nonprofits, foundations, academic institutions, and corporations committed to unlocking the full economic potential of Northeast Houston that reflects the vision, leadership, determination, and pride of the people who call it home.
We’re bringing together local wisdom, resources, and partnerships to create lasting pathways for opportunity and economic mobility across four historic neighborhoods: Eastex-Jensen, Kashmere Gardens, Settegast, and Trinity/Houston Gardens.
Stay Connected
This opportunity in Northeast Houston is just getting started. Sign up to stay informed about updates, events, and ways to get involved.
Stay Connected
This opportunity in Northeast Houston is just getting started. Sign up to stay informed about updates, events, and ways to get involved.
What We’re Doing
HEGC has been laying the groundwork for a community-first partnership model that starts with the people that know Northeast Houston best – its residents.
Through neighborhood meetings, listening sessions, and collaboration with local leaders, HEGC has already activated more than $10 million in operational, citywide, and neighborhood investments. These funds are supporting efforts that make a real difference:
Citywide &
Neighborhood Grants
Direct investments to nonprofits and resident-led projects like disaster recovery and resilience programs, after-school programs, murals, back-to-school drives, and workforce training programs.
Investing in
Local Leadership
Funding and resources to strengthen local nonprofits and grassroots organizations that have been serving these communities for decades.
Research
& Data
Partnerships among academic institutions, nonprofits, and local leaders to engage residents to understand their communities’ priorities and gather neighborhood-level insights that guide strategic investment.
Long-Term
Strategy
Collaboration among residents, funders, and corporations to shape a roadmap that prioritizes inclusion, innovation, and local decision-making.
Together, we’re building on the foundation for economic growth that reflects Northeast Houston’s strength, creativity, and promise.
Purpose & Values
We are a collective of neighborhood, citywide, and national leaders bringing together our resources, knowledge, and power to actively champion the community’s vision for greater economic resilience and mobility in Northeast Houston neighborhoods.
Center
Community
Honor Resident
Leadership
Pursue
Impact
Build
Trust
Share
Power
Member
Alignment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEGC? Are you a nonprofit?
HEGC is a community-led coalition of local resident leaders, nonprofits, foundations, academic institutions, and corporations committed to recognizing the full economic potential of Northeast Houston.
HEGC will be engaging a Managing Director to lead facilitation over the long term, and identifying a host 501c3 nonprofit to support administrative needs.
Who leads HEGC?
HEGC is led by a working group made up of resident leaders from Northeast Houston, funders, nonprofits, and academic institutions who make decisions together, centered around the needs and opportunities identified by residents.
Which organizations are involved in HEGC?
There are more than 20 different partners involved in HEGC’s decision-making, including a mix of academic institutions, community groups and organizations, philanthropies, and corporations. A full list can be found below:
- Art in the Heart
- BakerRipley
- Eastex-Jensen Neighborhood
- Episcopal Health Foundation
- Greater Houston Community Foundation
- Greater Houston Partnership
- Houston Area Urban League
- Houston in Action
- Houston Northeast CDC
- Houston Habitat for Humanity
- Impacting Houston
- JPMorganChase
- Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood
- LISC Houston
- Northeast Coalition for Advancement and Transformation
- Rockwell Fund
- Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research
- Settegast Neighborhood
- Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council
- Trinity/Houston Gardens Neighborhood
- Verizon
- West Street Recovery
HEGC invites other organizations and individuals to get involved. Email us at [email protected] and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and announcements.
Has funding actually been given to the communities?
To date, more than $10 million has been activated by HEGC, in part to support HEGC operations and strategy development, strengthen local nonprofits, develop ways to respond to and prepare for natural disasters, and contribute to community outreach and gatherings.
This includes (20) $5,000 community grants that have been provided to local organizations and groups to support efforts in Northeast Houston like community murals, workforce training programs, and back-to-school events.
Why is HEGC focused on Northeast Houston?
Given its rich history of grassroots organizing, multiple community partnerships, and strong local leadership already in place, Northeast Houston was an optimal cluster of neighborhoods for HEGC’s community-first partnership model of supporting and expanding local efforts.
What value does HEGC bring to Houston residents?
The people of Northeast Houston have been organizing and advocating for decades.
HEGC is focused on innovative and creative solutions, rather than top-down giving or short-term partnership, so that everyone has a seat at the table and can contribute resources, ideas, and skills, rather than solely capital, for meaningful change.
By bringing together a diverse set of partners committed to long-term economic prosperity, HEGC was created to catalyze the work already happening in communities to enhance the quality of life for people living, working, and worshiping in Northeast Houston.
What programs do you offer?
HEGC seeks to expedite, expand, and create community programs that will improve the quality of life of the people in Northeast Houston. This can include supporting and expanding community initiatives, providing research and forums to support a better understanding of community priorities, and raising funds for more immediate and long-term community improvement projects.
How can I participate in HEGC?
HEGC invites residents, nonprofits, funders, advocates, organizers, policymakers, and service providers to contribute their expertise, initiative, ideas, resources, and commitment to our Collaborative.
There are many ways to get involved, including: expanding our network, hiring our neighbors, providing expertise, spotlighting our work, volunteering locally, and funding our programming. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and announcements.
Why haven’t I heard about this before?
Most of our work to date has been focused on building relationships, trust, and shared priorities with community partners. The November 8 event marks the public launch of this initiative as we bring together residents from all four neighborhoods along with other stakeholders. However, our work for the past two years to lay the foundation for HEGC’s efforts has relied on community groups that are deeply involved in key local issues and feedback from residents in each community.
HEGC is also still growing. We want more community members to be engaged and involved in this work. If you’re interested in joining our ongoing community meetings or staying connected, we encourage you to subscribe to our growing email list, get involved with our community partners below, or reach out to us at [email protected].
You can also get involved by working directly with community groups, including Art in the Heart, Impacting Houston, Houston Northeast CDC, Northeast Houston Coalition for Advancement and Transformation, Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council, West Street Recovery, and others.
Our Collaborative
For partnership inquiries or more information,
reach us directly at [email protected].