Houston Public Media Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by an elected Board of Directors and exists for the sole purpose of providing ongoing financial support for Houston Public Media.
Purpose
The Houston Public Media Foundation is responsible for supporting the financial future of Houston Public Media.
Mission
Houston Public Media Foundation marshals resources, relationships, and philanthropic support to bring arts and culture, education, and trusted news to the Houston Public Media broadcast area.
Vision
We envision a supportive and open environment where diversity is valued as being necessary for the financial sustainability of Houston Public Media.
Core Values
Mission-Driven
We believe in the power of philanthropy. We are motivated by our shared conviction that it is important Houston Public Media advances education, news and information, arts and culture, and public safety across its broadcast area.
Responsible
We are aware of the trust invested in us and honor those obligations and responsibilities.
Collaborative
We share ideas willingly and know that collaboration shapes, defines, and produces the best results. We leverage the strengths of our colleagues, personnel, partners, volunteers, and donors.
Board Members
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Sharon Birkman | President
- John Bradshaw Jr. | Vice President
- John Bradshaw Jr. | Governance Committee Co-Chair
- Deidra Lane | Governance Committee Co-Chair
- Dennis Malloy | Finance Committee Chair
- Angela Bishop | Engagement Committee Co-Chair
- Kathryn Sanders | Engagement Committee Co-Chair
DIRECTORS
- Upasana Bhatia
- Sharon Birkman
- Angela Bishop
- John Bradshaw Jr.
- Mark Conely
- Victoria Cordova
- Karin Fox
- César Giralt
- Kevin Kulish
- Deidra Lane
- Dennis Malloy
- Sanat Parikh
- Kathryn Sanders
- Jeffrey Whitley
EX-OFFICIO
- Lisa Trapani Shumate, Associate Vice President & General Manager, Houston Public Media
- Eloise Dunn Brice, Vice President for University Advancement, University of Houston
Get Involved
The Houston Public Media Foundation wishes to recruit a diverse group of individuals with a passion for and commitment to the Mission of Houston Public Media to serve as members of its Board of Directors, President’s Circle, or its standing committees.
Board of Directors
The Houston Public Media Foundation Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization. Voting members of the Board of Directors have authority and oversight of the Foundation and its operations.
President’s Circle
The President’s Circle is a group of individuals who supports the Houston Public Media mission to inform and inspire for the love of Houston and is available to give guidance and advice as needed.
Standing Committees
The Houston Public Media Foundation Standing Committees provide a platform for members to work on specific issues that require specialized areas of expertise. Committees offer a practical way to structure and manage the Board of Directors work.
Financials
Financial Records and Reporting
History of the Houston Public Media Foundation
The Houston Public Media Foundation serves to secure the financial future of Houston Public Media and to cultivate and engage community resources to support its mission of opening minds, changing lives and enriching the quality of life in Southeast Texas.
The Houston Public Media Foundation, a Houston-based non-profit organization, was originally incorporated in 1969 as the Association for Community Television. ACT worked in support of KUHT by holding on-air auctions, special events such as tennis and golf tournaments, and played a leading role in the capital campaign for a state-of-the-art public broadcast facility. As a result of that “Campaign for Public Broadcasting,” in May 2000, the LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting became the new home of KUHT and KUHF, both licensees of the University of Houston System.
In 2005 the organization was transformed into The Association for Community Broadcasting to incorporate community support and fundraising activity for both HoustonPBS and Houston Public Radio. The partnership that was created by ACB’s establishment is helping both stations meet the challenges of a changing future in the media industry. ACB created the Association for Community Broadcasting Endowment Fund in 2007 to fulfill the need for stable, long-term funding for Houston public broadcasting. In 2014, the organization was again changed to the Houston Public Media Foundation, following the consolidation of HoustonPBS and Houston Public Radio into a single organization.
The Houston Public Media Foundation assists Houston Public Media staff with fundraising efforts. In addition to personal gifts of support, Houston Public Media Foundation Board members go on calls with staff, write letters of support and serve as ambassadors for public broadcasting in the community on a local and national level. The Houston Public Media Foundation also is involved in many special events and activities that help raise funds for Houston Public Media. Board members secure sponsorships and auction items, sell tickets and serve on committees while regularly attending events for Houston Public Media.