The new headquarters of Houston Endowment showcases sustainable architecture.
Ann Stern, the CEO of Houston Endowment, has announced her resignation effective June 2025, concluding over a decade of impactful leadership. Under her guidance, the foundation’s endowment grew significantly, enhancing its ability to distribute funding in education, the arts, and public health. Notably, Stern’s tenure has seen the foundation undertake vital community initiatives and adapt its strategies to meet evolving needs. A nationwide search for her successor will soon begin, as she continues to lead until a new appointment is made.
Houston Endowment’s CEO, Ann Stern, has announced plans to step down in June 2025, after more than a decade of leadership that transformed the foundation’s outreach and effectiveness. Stern has overseen significant growth during her tenure, leading the foundation’s commitment to supporting various community sectors, including education, the arts, and public health.
Under Stern’s direction since 2012, the Houston Endowment has expanded its endowment from $1.5 billion to nearly $2.5 billion. This nearly 67% increase enabled the foundation to distribute over $1 billion in grants throughout the Greater Houston area. Stern has focused on a philanthropic approach that emphasizes learning, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, which have proven vital for addressing local community needs.
The foundation was originally established in 1937 by Jesse and Mary Gibbs Jones. Its mission has been to enhance the quality of life in Houston through funding initiatives that span a range of services, such as arts, public parks, civic engagement, and pre-K through 12th-grade education. Over the years, Stern’s leadership has significantly impacted these sectors, especially in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters.
During Stern’s tenure, the Houston Endowment has launched and supported several transformative initiatives. These include the development of the Bayou Greenways Initiative, the revival of Riverside General Hospital, and The Way Home initiative aimed at combating homelessness. The foundation has also adapted its funding approach in recent years, offering flexible resources to support nonprofit organizations responding to urgent community needs.
Currently, the Houston Endowment is prioritizing postsecondary education initiatives to create pathways to opportunity for individuals in the Greater Houston area. Response to evolving community challenges remains a top focus for the foundation moving forward.
A nationwide search for Stern’s successor will begin soon, and Stern will continue in her role until a new leader is appointed. The Houston Endowment inaugurated its new headquarters, designed by Kevin Daly Architects, in September 2022. This facility is located at 3683 Willia Street near Spotts Park and is noted for its eco-friendly attributes, including solar panels and a geothermal HVAC system. It also marks Houston’s first hybrid steel and cross-laminated timber project.
The headquarters spans 31,718 square feet and is designed to foster collaboration and enhance public engagement. Part of this effort includes a permanent art collection that highlights the work of local Houston artists, reflecting the city’s diverse culture. Plans are also in place to expand this collection by introducing a rotating gallery featuring commissioned works from emerging local talent starting in 2023.
The Houston Endowment has been recognized for its substantial contributions to building resilience in the community, particularly amidst financial uncertainties. The foundation’s comprehensive funding history has made a lasting impact across various sectors, underscoring its role in supporting the arts, education, public health, and housing.
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