Houston in Action Network
Houston in Action Network is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Houston, Texas, designated for civil rights, social action, and voter education purposes. The organization functions as a collective of community-based organizations and partners working across the greater Houston area to promote community leadership and break down systemic barriers to civic participation. Houston in Action Network serves as a convener and resource hub, coordinating efforts among disparate entities across government, health, private philanthropy, and community-based organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.8M
-17.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.1M
+109.2% YoY
Grant Count
74
+27.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$83K
+64.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Houston in Action Network's mission centers on facilitating collective action among individuals and organizations to promote community leadership and break down barriers to civic participation. The organization encourages civic engagement with particular focus on communities of color, low-income residents, and young people.
Primary program areas include:
- Community Organizing: Operating three organizing cohorts centered on Black, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, building power through community expertise, policy insight, and communications strategy
- Voter Engagement: The Grow the Circle campaign reaches new, existing, and low to mid-propensity voters across the Houston region
- Civic Participation: Training community leaders and participants to increase civic engagement
- Capacity Building: Supporting emerging organizations through administration, communications, data services, and other identified needs
- Nonpartisan Voter Education: Distributing resources for voter education and engagement initiatives
- Community Representation: Educating the public on community representation in the greater Houston area
Grantmaking
Houston in Action Network distributes approximately $2.5 million in grants annually to support collaborative efforts in voter education, nonpartisan engagement, and strategic organizing.
Grant Range
$47,000
How to Apply
**: The organization does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Houston in Action Network primarily focuses on the greater Houston area and Harris County, with particular emphasis on communities of color, low-income residents, and young people in this region.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Summary:
- Total assets: $11.8 million
- Total revenues: $4.07 million
- Total expenses: $5.8 million
- Total liabilities: $307,000
- Giving rate: 24.8% of assets
- Number of employees: 19
2022 Financial Summary:
- Total assets: $13.7 million
- Total giving: $2.5 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,798,403 | $11,829,365 | $13,703,100 |
| Revenue | $8,565,629 | $4,072,330 | $5,298,202 |
| Expenses | $10,568,871 | $5,798,395 | $4,181,566 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,572 | $7,092 | $1,192 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Avenue Community Development Corp ($187,807), Nat'l Korean American Service & Education Consortium ($184,407), Barbara Jordan Institute ($118,557).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Fathers Movement Houston, TX | Support community initiatives | $66,057 |
| A Healthier Democracy Inc Boston, MA | Support community initiatives | $38,557 |
| Acres Homes Community Advocacy Group Houston, TX | Support community initiatives | $66,957 |
| Alianza Americas Chicago, IL | Support community initiatives | $57,527 |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Richmond, TX | Support community initiatives | $38,557 |
| Art In The Heart Houston, TX | Support community initiatives | $78,557 |
| Avenue Community Development Corp Houston, TX | Support community initiatives | $187,807 |
| Back To Eden Fellow Program Houston, TX | Support community initiatives | $58,557 |
| BakerRipley Houston, TX | Support community initiatives | $98,557 |
| Barbara Jordan Institute Fort Worth, TX | Support community initiatives | $118,557 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oni Blair | Chair (thru 01/24) | 1.5 | — |
| Joy Green | Chair (as of 6/24) | 1.5 | — |
| Melissa Marschall | Secretary | 1.5 | — |
| Fred Lazare | Treasurer | 1.5 | — |
| Veronica Garcia | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Magda Herrera | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Yasmin Yavar | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Frances E Valdez | Executive Director | 40 | $186,000 |
| Christopher Valdez | Communications Director | 40 | $131,346 |
| Veronica Carbajal | Climate, Civil Rights Organizer | 40 | $109,039 |
| Ana Mac Naught | Placed Base Program Director | 40 | $133,654 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Houston in Action Network fund?
Houston in Action Network's mission centers on facilitating collective action among individuals and organizations to promote community leadership and break down barriers to civic participation. The organization encourages civic engagement with particular focus on communities of color, low-income residents, and young people. Primary program areas include: • **Community Organizing**: Operating three organizing cohorts centered on Black, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, bui…
How do I apply for a grant from Houston in Action Network?
Houston in Action Network distributes approximately $2.5 million in grants annually to support collaborative efforts in voter education, nonpartisan engagement, and strategic organizing. **Grant Activity (2023):** • Total giving: $2.9 million • Number of grants: 58 • Median grant size: $47,000 • Grant range: $8,000 - $148,000 **Grant Activity (2022):** • Total giving: $2.5 million • Number of grants: 64 • Median grant size: $30,000 **Application Process**: The organization does not accept unsol…
Where does Houston in Action Network make grants?
Houston in Action Network primarily focuses on the greater Houston area and Harris County, with particular emphasis on communities of color, low-income residents, and young people in this region.
What size grants does Houston in Action Network award?
In 2024, Houston in Action Network awarded 74 grants totaling $6.1M — an average of about $83K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Houston in Action Network's EIN?
Houston in Action Network's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3022489. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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