Above: Tammy Hetmaniak, Executive Director at BEAR, attends October 2024 reception for Impact 100 Houston Grant finalists.
BEAR (BE A Resource) has been announced as one of the five finalists for the esteemed Impact 100 Houston Grant. If awarded, this grant will provide crucial funding to advance BEAR’s mission to deliver essential resources to vulnerable children and families across the Greater Houston area. Winners will be announced at the upcoming Impact 100 Houston Annual Awards Celebration on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Junior League of Houston.
“We’re beyond grateful to be named a finalist for the Impact 100 Houston Grant,” said Tammy Hetmaniak, Executive Director of BEAR. “For many of the children we serve, BEAR is their source of hope and vital essentials, providing necessities like clothing, shoes, and a sense of comfort during challenging times. Being considered for this award is incredibly significant for us, as it would allow us to deepen our reach and impact, ensuring that no child in our community is left without the resources, dignity, and compassion they deserve.”
Through its four core programs—BEAR Necessities, BEARing Gifts, BEAR Back to School, and Heart Gallery of Greater Houston—BEAR provides essential support for at-risk and CPS-involved children. Each program is designed to address specific needs, from providing clothing, diapers, and other necessities to helping children legally available for adoption find permanent, loving families. In 2023 alone, BEAR Necessities served over 32,500 children, BEARing Gifts brought holiday cheer to more than 26,600, and BEAR Back to School provided over 16,400 children with the supplies they needed to start the school year ready to learn. These impactful initiatives reflect BEAR’s vision to be a consistent resource for children, offering them stability and comfort during times of crisis.
The Impact 100 Houston Grant is awarded annually to nonprofits that demonstrate a remarkable capacity for positive, sustainable change within the Greater Houston area. The grant enables organizations to expand and enhance services, allowing for a wider-reaching community impact. BEAR’s commitment to improving the lives of CPS-involved and at-risk children aligns with the mission of the Impact 100 Houston Grant, making BEAR a strong candidate for this transformative support.
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About Impact 100 Houston:
Impact 100 Houston is a community of women committed to addressing the needs of the Greater Houston area by awarding high-impact grants to local nonprofits. Through collective philanthropy, Impact 100 Houston empowers nonprofits with the funds to create lasting, transformational change.
