What Houston Health Foundation does

Houston Health Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, that creates public-private partnerships to deliver evidence-based health and wellness programs for underserved children and families in the Greater Houston area. The foundation operates primarily through its "Brilliant Futures" umbrella program, which encompasses five core service lines: See to Succeed (free comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses for children aged 6-18 across 16+ Houston-area school districts), Project Saving Smiles (free dental screenings, sealants, and fluoride varnish for at-risk elementary students), The Basics Houston (early childhood brain-development education for parents of children ages 0-3, affiliated with The Basics Learning Network), My Brother's Keeper Houston (mentoring and the RISE college scholarship program for boys and young men of color), and Community Gardens (food-security programming across 12 community locations with 72 raised beds producing over 27,000 lbs of produce). The foundation also supports adjacent public health initiatives including the Houston Recovery Initiative, Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Hire Houston Youth, Houston Sickle Cell Collaborative, and Area Agency on Aging.

The foundation does not develop proprietary technology; its work is delivered through in-person clinical operations, school-based clinics, the West End Multi-Service Center, and community partner sites in collaboration with the Houston Health Department and academic partners including the University of Houston College of Optometry, Baylor College of Medicine, and UTHealth School of Public Health. Cumulative reach across programs is substantial, with 115,000+ children served through See to Succeed since 2011 and documented outcomes including 80% of students with failing grades improving after vision correction.

The revenue model is entirely donation-driven. Funding sources include individual donations, multi-tiered corporate sponsorships (Champion $5,000+ through Cornerstone Benefactor $500,000+), foundation grants (e.g., Aetna Foundation $100,000, Freeport LNG $1 million scholarship pledge), and annual luncheon proceeds. All programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries. Named corporate sponsors span energy (Aramco Americas, ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips, CITGO), healthcare (Cigna, Texas Children's Pediatrics), retail (HEB), banking (Origin Bank), and other sectors. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by William F. "Billy" Burge III and led by President and CEO Robin Mansur, with a small staff supplemented by extensive volunteer engagement.

Name

Houston Health Foundation

Legal name

Houston Health Foundation

Website

https://houstonhealthfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Houston Health Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that creates public-private partnerships to deliver free vision, dental, early-childhood, youth-mentoring, and food-security programs to underserved Houston children and families, administered alongside the Houston Health Department and funded by corporate sponsors and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Health Promotion, Prevention & Wellness Education (EDALAFAF), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Public health programs
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Children health services
• Community wellness programs
• School-based health initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation accepts one-time and recurring financial gifts from individual donors to support health and wellness programs for children and families.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support Brilliant Futures programs at various funding levels ranging from $5,000 to $500,000+, providing recognition and volunteer opportunities in return.
3. Sponsorship Tiers: Multi-tiered sponsorship structure including Cornerstone Benefactor ($500,000+), Benefactor ($250,000+), Visionary ($100,000+), Luminary ($50,000+), Trailblazer ($25,000+), Pioneer ($15,000+), and Champion ($5,000+).
4. Grant Funding: The foundation receives grants from foundations and corporations such as the Aetna Foundation ($100,000 for youth garden in Gulfton) to support specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Houston Health Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates public-private partnerships with the Houston Health Department to administer the Brilliant Futures umbrella of five evidence-based public health programs: See to Succeed (free vision exams and eyeglasses for school-age children), Project Saving Smiles (dental screenings, sealants, and fluoride varnish for elementary students), The Basics Houston (early childhood development resources for parents of children 0-3), My Brother's Keeper Houston (mentoring and RISE scholarships for boys and young men of color), and Community Gardens (raised garden beds addressing food insecurity). All programs are provided free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

Houston Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization that creates public-private partnerships for sustainable health and wellness initiatives. The foundation operates through its Brilliant Futures umbrella program, which encompasses five evidence-based core programs: See to Succeed (vision care and eyeglasses), Project Saving Smiles (dental health), The Basics Houston (early childhood development), My Brother's Keeper Houston (youth mentoring and scholarships), and Community Gardens (food security). Additionally, the foundation supports and collaborates with external programs including Houston Recovery Initiative, Area Agency on Aging, Anti-Human Trafficking Program, Hire Houston Youth, Houston Sickle Cell Collaborative, Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Network, Community Re-Entry Network Program, and Mayor's Office of Education and Youth Engagement. The foundation also hosts the annual Every Child Deserves Luncheon as its primary fundraising event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brilliant Futures: A suite of five evidence-based public health programs dedicated to providing Houston area's most vulnerable children a strong foundation for healthy lives and bright futures. Includes See to Succeed, Project Saving Smiles, The Basics Houston, My Brother's Keeper Houston, and Community Gardens.
• See to Succeed
• Project Saving Smiles
• The Basics Houston
• My Brother's Keeper Houston
• Community Gardens

Products and services

• See to Succeed Vision care program providing free comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to children aged 6-18 from over 16 Houston-area school districts, delivered via clinics at the West End Multi-Service Center and school-based events.
• Project Saving Smiles Dental health program providing free dental screenings, sealants, fluoride varnish, and oral health education to at-risk elementary school students across more than 200 schools in the Houston area.
• The Basics Houston Early childhood development program based on five evidence-based principles (Maximize Love/Manage Stress, Talk/Sing/Point, Count/Group/Compare, Explore Through Movement/Play, Read/Discuss Stories) to support brain development in children ages 0-3. An affiliate of The Basics Learning Network.
• My Brother's Keeper Houston Youth support initiative improving outcomes for boys and young men of color from birth to 24 years through collaborative partnerships, the Team Up mentor program, and the RISE college scholarship program.
• Community Gardens Food security initiative maintaining 72 raised garden beds across 12 community locations, producing over 27,000 lbs of organic produce to combat food deserts and provide access to healthy food for vulnerable families.
• Brilliant Futures Umbrella program framework administered with the Houston Health Department encompassing five evidence-based public health programs (See to Succeed, Project Saving Smiles, The Basics Houston, My Brother's Keeper, Community Gardens) dedicated to providing Houston's vulnerable children healthy foundations for life.
• Every Child Deserves Luncheon Annual fundraising luncheon celebrating community partnerships and honoring individuals for contributions to child and family health and wellness in Houston, held at venues such as the Omni Houston Hotel and Thompson Hotel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of students with failing grades improved after receiving glasses through See to Succeed, with 67% of those who previously failed math achieving a passing grade
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Houston Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary public sector partner for administering all Brilliant Futures programs. The foundation works with HHD to deliver vision care, dental services, early childhood development, and community health initiatives to Houston residents.
• Houston ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner school district for See to Succeed and Project Saving Smiles programs, providing access to students for vision exams and dental care services.
• Aldine ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district for Project Saving Smiles dental program, serving at-risk elementary students.
• Alief ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district for Project Saving Smiles dental program serving elementary students.
• Klein ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school district for Project Saving Smiles dental program.
• Aramco AmericasmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting See to Succeed program and Teacher Classroom Kits initiative. Continued partnership during National Public Health Week to support vision care and educational supplies for Houston area students.
• University of Houston College of OptometrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner providing optometric expertise for See to Succeed program. Dr. Pat Segu serves as Clinical Director and Clinical Associate Professor.
• Baylor College of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Anti-Human Trafficking Program providing trauma-informed care, healthcare provider training, and research on human trafficking's medical and psychiatric impacts.
• Chevron Phillips ChemicalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting See to Succeed and Brilliant Futures programs.
• ExxonMobilmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for See to Succeed program supporting vision care for Houston students.
• Enterprise MobilitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Brilliant Futures programs.
• Origin BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and partner supporting Houston Health Foundation initiatives.
• CITGOmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for luncheon and program support at Empowerment Advocate level.
• UTHealth School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting health initiatives.
• CignamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at Healthy Foundations level for Brilliant Futures programs.
• Texas Children's PediatricsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner sponsor at Healthy Foundations level.
• HEBmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFloral and Decor Sponsor for luncheon events.
• Perry HomesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor at Healthy Foundations level.
• Houston Livestock Show and RodeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey community partner; multiple board members serve on HLSR committees and boards.
• 100 Black MencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentoring program partner for MBK Houston providing mentorship to scholarship recipients.
• Social Justice Learning InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentoring program partner for MBK Houston supporting youth development.
• 8 Million StoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentoring program partner for MBK Houston focused on youth empowerment.
• TFIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentoring program partner supporting MBK scholarship recipients.
• The Basics Learning NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliate relationship; The Basics Houston is an affiliate of The Basics Learning Network providing early childhood development principles and resources.
• Hire Houston YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram connecting Houston youth to local jobs with earn-and-learn opportunities in Houston's economy.
• Houston Sickle Cell CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity coalition bringing together organizations, supporters, and healthcare institutions to support the local sickle cell community through education, support services, and healthcare.
• Area Agency on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally funded services for elderly residents under the Older Americans Act, providing needs assessment, advocacy, and service coordination.
• Houston Recovery InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes Recovery Oriented System of Care through volunteer-led workgroups including Adolescent ROSC and Opioid Taskforce, providing resources and support for long-term recovery.
• West End Multi-Service CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary facility for delivering vision, dental, and early childhood programs. Hosts See to Succeed clinics, Project Saving Smiles dental services, and The Basics Houston Baby Day events.
• Omni Houston HotelminorOthersVenue partner for 2026 Every Child Deserves Luncheon event.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation: National philanthropic foundation focused on child health, equity, and community well-being. Comparable in mission around early childhood, health equity, and community-based program delivery.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Largest US philanthropy focused on health and health equity. Comparable in funding public health programs targeting vulnerable children and families and in supporting evidence-based community health interventions.
• CDC Foundation: National nonprofit that builds public-private partnerships with the CDC to advance public health. Directly comparable operating model: partnering with a government health agency to administer evidence-based community health programs.

Regional players

• Episcopal Health Foundation: Houston-area health-focused foundation funding public health initiatives including Brilliant Futures programs. Directly comparable as a regional health philanthropy with overlapping beneficiary populations and program areas in Houston.
• Houston Endowment: Major Houston-focused philanthropic foundation supporting health, education, and community initiatives across the same Greater Houston geography. Comparable in scale, mission scope, and donor base as a regional civic foundation.
• Greater Houston Community Foundation: Regional community foundation serving the Greater Houston area. Comparable as a Houston-focused grantmaking organization channeling philanthropic dollars to local health and social programs.

Direct peers

• Children's Health Fund: National nonprofit providing healthcare access to underserved children through mobile and community-based clinics. Comparable in delivering free health services to children in schools and community settings.
• Texas Children's Hospital Foundation: Houston-based pediatric hospital foundation supporting child health programs. Comparable as a Houston-area children's health philanthropy with school and community outreach to underserved populations.
• Cook Children's Health Foundation: Fort Worth-based pediatric health foundation funding children's health and wellness programs in North Texas. Comparable as a Texas-focused children's health foundation with school-linked health and prevention programming.

Others

• Aetna Foundation: Corporate philanthropic foundation of CVS Health funding community health, equity, and wellness programs. Comparable as a funder of community-based public health interventions and an existing HHF grant partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@houstonhealthdepartment7682
• Facebookfacebook.com/houstonhealthFD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/houston-health-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/houstonhealthfoundation/?hl=en
• Xx.com/HoustonHealthFD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Houston Health Foundation