A funder’s alternative to gather grantee suggestions by partnering with CEP on the Grantee Notion Report (GPR) alerts a dedication to studying, enchancment, and finally, effectiveness. That is notably true of the numerous funders who repeat the GPR and observe their grantees’ perceptions altering, and in lots of circumstances bettering, over time.
One such funder is Houston Endowment (HEI), which has partnered with CEP on the GPR six occasions since 2003, most just lately in 2023. In consequence, now we have information that paints a transparent image of how HEI’s relationships with its grantees have advanced over a span of 20 years.
In partaking with HEI on its 2023 GPR, I had the distinct privilege of assembly Bao-Lengthy Chu, this system director for HEI’s Arts and Parks portfolios who has been with HEI since 2015. Past being a considerate, relationship-oriented program officer, Lengthy has additionally devoted his years at HEI to shaping the Arts and Tradition program to prioritize fairness, collaboration, and in his personal phrases, to “strengthen the artistic economic system and construct a extra unified and vibrant cultural panorama” in Houston.
Lengthy can be the only real grantmaker for this system. Having Lengthy’s particular person program officer-level outcomes along with the program-level and organization-wide outcomes at three distinct closing dates affords us a novel window into the results of each the strategic, process-oriented adjustments at HEI and in this system and the relationship-building that Lengthy has completed over time.
To be taught extra about each side of this coin, just a few months after wrapping up CEP’s most up-to-date engagement with HEI, I reconnected with Lengthy to ask him some extra about his position overseeing the Arts and Tradition program at HEI, how receiving CEP outcomes over time has formed his grantmaking practices, and about HEI’s technique with regards to arts and tradition in Houston.
Emma Relle: Beginning off, we’d love to listen to extra about your personal background, how you bought into this work, and the general technique for the Arts and Tradition program on the Houston Endowment.
Lengthy Chu: My journey into this work is deeply related to my roots in Houston and my ardour for storytelling and recognition for the facility of phrases. Initially from Vietnam, I pursued an MFA in poetry on the College of Houston, the place I delved into the intersection of artwork, id, and group. As a poet, I imagine that phrases matter: what we are saying and the way we are saying it assist to construct trusted relationships, the central element of place-based philanthropy.
My ardour and background naturally aligned with my position at Houston Endowment (HEI), the place I lead the Arts and Tradition program. Since I joined HEI in 2015, this system has aimed to create a vibrant arts and tradition sector. Immediately, that takes form via two methods: strengthening arts and tradition nonprofits and constructing a sustainable arts and tradition sector. We envision fostering a artistic metropolis the place residents are impressed to attach deeply with one another and the world round them.
ER: As a workforce of 1 – working as each the first program officer and this system director for the Arts and Parks portfolios – how do you stability the relational and strategic points of your work which can be vital to every position?
LC: On the relational facet, I attempt to construct a powerful sense of transparency and open communication, and I’ve discovered our grantees are snug approaching me and my colleagues with points. Strategically, I be sure that our funding aligns with the long-term imaginative and prescient of constructing Houston a pacesetter in arts and tradition whereas sustaining shut, supportive relationships with grantees.
My method to the balancing act is a rigorous adherence to the saying, “readability is kindness.” In different phrases, being clear about our grantmaking processes and whether or not a request for funding aligns with our technique.
This method has led to enhancements in grantee perceptions of HEI’s readability in communication and helpfulness within the software course of. As well as, I work carefully with groups throughout our program areas resembling Grants Administration, Studying and Analysis, Communications, and Authorized. On the floor it might appear to be I’m a workforce of 1, however the reality is that a complete community of colleagues is behind my public position.
ER: HEI has carried out three Grantee Notion Studies (GPRs) because you joined HEI in 2015, and we’re lucky to have information out of your grantees from these three discrete closing dates that span almost a decade. Are you able to share an instance of one thing you’ve modified in both your work with grantees or your strategic method to funding on account of your engagement with CEP?
LC: Over time, suggestions has pushed adjustments that improve {our relationships} with grantees and streamline processes. As an illustration, one notable change influenced by the CEP engagement was the discount of stress on grantees to change their organizational priorities to suit HEI’s funding standards. By listening to suggestions, we streamlined software necessities and targeted on supporting grantees’ missions relatively than imposing our agenda. This shift has resulted in grantees experiencing considerably much less stress in 2023 in comparison with 2018. Moreover, rankings for the helpfulness of HEI’s software course of and ease of the reporting course of noticed important enhancements in 2023.
Suggestions has additionally helped us to simplify our software and reporting processes, a big effort led by our stalwart Grants Administration workforce. They’ve been instrumental in offering extra readability and transparency round software necessities and timelines. These adjustments have made our processes extra easy, as mirrored within the 2023 survey, the place grantees rated the reporting course of extremely for being related and adaptable to their wants. The Grants Administration workforce’s dedication to decreasing administrative burdens has allowed grantees to focus extra on their mission-driven work and fewer on paperwork, enhancing the general grantmaking expertise.
ER: Along with receiving suggestions in regards to the Arts and Tradition program in your CEP report, you additionally had the chance to have a look at grantee suggestions for HEI total. How do you situate your grantees’ suggestions throughout the broader context of HEI outcomes?
LC: Suggestions from the Arts and Tradition program has offered essential insights into how our work suits inside HEI’s broader technique. Just like our Training and Civic Engagement packages, Arts and Tradition is a precedence space that underscores our position as a place-based basis. This localized method means committing to grantmaking on to native companions and constructing trusted relationships that worth native views and viewpoints.
Particularly, the CEP survey highlighted that Arts and Tradition grantees price HEI’s understanding of their fields and native communities increased than the general common, emphasizing the distinct influence of our work in strengthening Houston’s cultural vibrancy whereas sustaining a deep connection to the group. This alignment with HEI’s total dedication to group influence reinforces the significance of fostering relationships which can be conscious of the distinctive wants of our native companions.
ER: All through our conversations, you’ve talked about some fascinating work that you just’re doing to convene Houston’s Seven Cultural Districts to advance advocacy within the arts. Are you able to share extra about your position in doing this and why this work is vital to you?
LC: Supporting Houston’s Seven Cultural Districts is a daring step in our bigger imaginative and prescient to raise arts advocacy and champion cultural fairness throughout the town. These districts embody the wealthy spectrum of Houston’s creative life — from world-renowned establishments to grassroots, community-driven organizations. But, regardless of their significance, they’ve usually existed in isolation, with their contributions under-recognized by the broader public.
In response, HEI has initiated a pilot challenge that not solely fortifies every district with very important infrastructure but in addition nurtures collaboration between them. By fostering shared planning, co-advocacy, and collective motion, these districts can amplify their presence and influence, shaping the cultural coronary heart of Houston in profound methods.
This isn’t nearly quick wins — it’s about planting the seeds for lasting transformation. Our dedication is to honor and uplift the cultural treasures of each group, making certain that the humanities not solely flourish however are embraced and celebrated throughout the town. Via this work, we heart Houston’s various creative voices, empowering arts leaders to weave a extra related, vibrant, and thriving cultural material — one which enriches the soul of the town and, in flip, conjures up a flourishing artistic economic system.
ER: Relatedly, I do know from our conversations that making certain equitable entry to arts funding is essential to you. How do you operationalize that in your work?
LC: I’ve all the time believed that phrases matter, however they have to be backed by motion. At HEI, we operationalize fairness by supporting initiatives just like the BIPOC Arts Community & Fund (BANF), in collaboration with the Ford Basis and native companions. This has elevated funding to traditionally underfunded teams, making certain BIPOC-led arts organizations get the sources they deserve.
But it surely’s greater than funding — it’s about constructing a supportive ecosystem. We’ve convened a community of funders to share methods and drive extra sources to those communities. This collective effort is essential to advancing fairness, and it’s been a pleasure to work alongside native companions on this mission.
The 2023 CEP survey displays this, with robust rankings for HEI’s transparency and understanding of group wants, affirming our ongoing efforts.
Emma Relle is a senior analyst on the Evaluation and Advisory Companies workforce at CEP. Bao-Lengthy Chu is program director, Arts and Parks, at Houston Endowment.
