December 2024 Staff Highlights

Here’s a snapshot of the presentations made, events hosted, and honors received by the talented and dedicated staff of the Hogg Foundation during the month of December 2024.

Jason Castillo has been hired as the Hogg Foundation’s policy specialist. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, Castillo joins the foundation after working as the research and policy coordinator at Texas Climate Jobs Project. He was also a staffer for Senator Royce West during the 2021 legislative session.

In his role at the foundation, Jason will participate in the policy team’s efforts to influence systems change that improves the mental health and well-being within all Texas communities through policy education initiatives, grantmaking activities, collaboration, and dialogue.

Vicki Coffee, director of foundation initiatives, represented the Hogg Foundation at the Youth Voices for Change Youth Summit in Houston on December 8. Supported by the Hogg Foundation’s Communities of Care initiative, this year’s summit focused on the theme, “Lead, Create, Advocate” and brought together youth in the Houston area to discuss mental health, advocacy, and policy issues.

Amy Loar, assistant director of the Texas Grants Resource Center, conducted a virtual training on December 12, “How to Search for Nonprofit Grant Opportunities”. The training provided nonprofit professionals an opportunity to learn about the grant search resources available at the TGRC, get grant writing pointers, and connect with peers working to support the needs of Texas communities.

Rick Ybarra, senior program officer, was published on the Grantmakers in Health website. His article, “Sustainability? No, It Is About Building Durability!” explores how philanthropy can contribute to supporting and building a stronger, more robust, and durable nonprofit sector.