Who We Are
Every day, people across the country are working to build their American Dream. And while ideally, your zip code should not determine your prospects for success, the reality is often different. But real change is possible when people’s needs are met and their voices and ideas are heard.
The Houston Economic Growth Collaborative (HEGC) is a community-focused coalition of residents, nonprofits, foundations, academic institutions, and corporations committed to recognizing the full economic potential of Northeast Houston, one that reflects the vision, leadership, determination, and pride of the people who call it home.
Working together with the four historic neighborhoods of Eastex-Jensen, Kashmere Gardens, Settegast, and Trinity/Houston Gardens, HEGC is supporting new and existing community initiatives that meet the needs of Northeast Houston residents, block by block.
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.
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
Our Collaborative
To learn more about HEGC, please download the Explainer (English/Spanish) and the Case for Support.
For partnership inquiries or more information,
reach us directly at info@houstongrowthcollab.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEGC? Are you a nonprofit?
HEGC is a community-focused 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 of the Collaborative over the long term, and identifying a host 501c3 nonprofit to support administrative needs. HEGC may decide to spin off into an independent 501c3 nonprofit in future years.
Who leads HEGC?
The people of Northeast Houston are in the driver’s seat when it comes to identifying needs and opportunities for growth in Northeast Houston. The broader Collaborative to support these efforts also consists of local academic institutions, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations invested in advancing this work over time.
Which organizations are involved in HEGC?
There are more than 20 different partners involved in HEGC, 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 info@houstongrowthcollab.org and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and announcements.
Who is funding HEGC?
Several organizations have supported the operations of HEGC, as well as connected partners or projects, including Verizon, JPMorganChase, and the Rockwell Fund.
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 did HEGC decide to partner with Northeast Houston?
With a rich history of grassroots organizing, multiple community partnerships, and strong local leadership already in place, Northeast Houston was an optimal starting point for HEGC’s community-first partnership model of supporting and expanding local efforts.
With community leaders’ decision to join HEGC in 2025, the Collaborative 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.
What value does HEGC bring to Houston residents?
The people of Northeast Houston have been organizing and advocating for decades.
By bringing together a diverse set of partners committed to long-term economic prosperity, HEGC was created to enhance 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, funders, corporations, 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 info@houstongrowthcollab.org and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and announcements.
How are you addressing the specific challenges or opportunities identified by residents?
Community members were already working to enhance communities before HEGC was formed and residents have been a part of the Collaborative from the very beginning of its work in Northeast Houston. This is critical because we believe the community knows and understands best what its needs are.
Over two years of behind-the-scenes work consisted of focus groups, funder recruitment, community-building, and research to help inform our approach and strategy.
The November 8 community event was a key step in collecting additional insight and feedback from those living, working, and worshiping in these four neighborhoods.
How come I didn't hear about this before?
Most of HEGC’s work to date has been behind the scenes. The November 8 event marked the public launch of this initiative as we brought 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 feedback from residents, community groups, and our members that are deeply involved in key local issues and have been driving change for years.
HEGC is also still growing. We want more community members to be engaged and involved in this work. If you’re interested in staying connected, we encourage you to subscribe to our growing email list.
What does HEGC mean for the surrounding communities of the four neighborhoods that are the focus of this initiative? If we’re not in one of the four neighborhoods, does this mean they can’t participate?
The work we will do in these four communities will involve – and benefit – both residents and people who live, work, play and worship in and near these neighborhoods.
HEGC’s efforts are guided by the voices and priorities of people who live and work in these neighborhoods. We welcome support from champions of the neighborhoods and hope eventually to expand our work to other areas of Northeast Houston.
Will there be more HEGC events?
Our public launch was held on November 8, 2025 and was attended by over 500 people. As awareness and support of HEGC grows, we hope to host additional community-focused events.