Volunteering

Volunteering

I recently had the opportunity to visit with the new CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Robert Manley. Habitat has a permanent endowment fund at ETCF known as the Jack Wilson Legacy Endowment Fund. It is a regular occurrence for me to meet with new local...
ETCF Ends 2025 with Record Grantmaking

ETCF Ends 2025 with Record Grantmaking

East Texas Communities Foundation awarded more than $19.9 million in grants to over 800 different nonprofit organizations in 2024. “ETCF is honored to connect generosity with need,” said Kyle Penney, President of East Texas Communities Foundation. “Thanks to the...
Changing Leadership

Changing Leadership

I don’t know about you, but I have spent the majority of my adulthood unaware of the broad power wielded by the President of the United States. Growing up, “I’m Just A Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock led me to believe the President had an important, but limited role, to...
Leaving A Charitable Legacy

Leaving A Charitable Legacy

I was in the fourth grade when Jimmy Carter faced off against Gerald Ford in the presidential election of 1976. That election was the first presidential election I had any chance of understanding, and my teacher did a good job trying to use the opportunity to help a...
Last-Minute Gift Ideas

Last-Minute Gift Ideas

As a child I remember receiving the Sears and JC Penney Christmas catalogs in the fall and meticulously compiling a wish list complete with page numbers, item numbers and detailed product descriptions. I wanted to be sure it was crystal clear to my parents that I...
Give Thanks

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is almost overlooked today due to the commercialization of black Friday, but the fact that most commercial activity is still paused on Thanksgiving Day should serve as a reminder of the importance of giving thanks. Setting aside time for giving thanks...