Philanthropy lives!

Houston charities rank No. 1 in national study of financial accountability

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Even in the face of a sluggish economy, Houston's top charities appear to be in robust condition, according to a new study by Charity Navigator. The nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities ranks Houston No. 1 in its charities' overall financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

The Houston area's 67 largest charities received a combined overall score of 58.52 in the eighth annual national study, which analyzed data in 30 metropolitan markets. The national score was 54.98.

Kansas City placed a close second, with a score of 58.35, trailed by St. Louis (58.16), Cincinnati (57.25) and Portland, Ore. (57.15).

Houston placed second in last year's study.

While program expenses were higher than the national average (85.4 percent in Houston compared to 81.7 percent nationally), administrative expenses were less (7.5 percent in Houston vs. 9.3 percent nationally), as were fundraising expenses (7.5 percent in Houston vs. 9.3 percent nationally).

CEO compensation was also greater in Houston at $158,930 vs. $137,780 nationally. The Houston figure was somewhere in the middle of the pack, below the amount executives earn in New York City ($197,792) and Miami ($196,375) but considerably more than salaries earned by their counterparts in Tampa/St. Petersburg ($101,558) and Nashville ($104,914).

The study also indicates that even during this challenging economic period, Houston charities are the fastest growing in the country. For more details about the study, click here.

“I think each of these cities’ nonprofit leaders and donors have something to be proud of,” Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, said in a press release, “whether it is Houston’s charities solid growth during a challenging economic period, Cincinnati’s charities commitment to protecting its donors’ privacy, or Colorado Springs’ charities admirable level of financial disclosure.

"This study revealed that, although there are differences among the various cities, the philanthropic spirit is alive and well throughout America.”

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Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School

Photo by Erza Shaw Getty Images

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Pop megastar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has donated $100,000 to the University of Houston Law Center Criminal Justice Clinic through her BeyGOOD Foundation. The gift will allow the clinic to hire fill-time faculty to head it, benefiting the students who study there.

“I am delighted that the BeyGOOD Foundation has made this very generous gift to the UH Law Center,” said Leonard Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center. “Not only will this funding help establish a full-time criminal justice clinic that provides pro bono legal services in our community, but it will also supercharge our already excellent criminal law and justice programming.”

The clinic is one of nine at UHLC. It helps students learn to navigate the criminal justice system, especially on behalf of clients that are underserved by skilled attorneys. People of color are affected disproportionately by a lack of good, ethical representation.

Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history and easily the biggest musical star native to Houston, has a long history of advocating for criminal justice reform. She was a staunch supporter of the police reform following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, asking law enforcement to “stop killing us” in a web post. In 2020, she penned an open letter to the Kentucky attorney general asking for justice in the death of Breonna Taylor.

Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, established in 2013, Beyoncé has focused mostly on expanding the prospects of Black-owned business and offering education opportunities to students. Forwarding the cause of legal representation in Texas while also helping out marginalized communities compliments her other philanthropic work.

“At UH Law, we envision a legal profession where ‘everyone has the opportunity to prosper,’ as BeyGOOD envisions, and we will achieve this vision by providing access to strong and effective legal representation in criminal proceedings,” Baynes said. “And together, through this gift, the BeyGOOD Foundation and UHLC will shepherd the next generation of criminal justice attorneys in the city of Houston, the state of Texas and the nation.”

Philanthropy lives!

Houston charities rank No. 1 in national study of financial accountability

Thanks, Queen Bey

Pop icon Beyoncé donates $100,000 to University of Houston Law School

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