Since its creation in 1945, The George Foundation has given more than $160 million to hundreds of Fort Bend County nonprofit organizations and students.
"We support a broad spectrum of areas in need," The George Foundation CEO Roger Adamson said. "We're less focused on a specific area and more focused on where we can make an impact. The first and most important filter in our grant-making is making an impact upon the Fort Bend community."
The foundation is the legacy of Mary Elizabeth and Albert P. George. Although they established the foundation in the mid-20th century, its roots date back to the 19th century before Texas became a state.
Mary Elizabeth's great-grandparents, Henry and Nancy Jones, came to Texas as a part of Stephen F. Austin's "old 300." As settlers in Austin's first colony, the Joneses obtained a league of land near the Brazos River, which lies in present-day Fort Bend County. Their children and grandchildren worked to increase the family's land and wealth, eventually owning 67,000 acres. This was, at the time, about 12 percent of the land in Fort Bend County, Adamson said.
The Joneses' great-grand daughter, Mary Elizabeth—better known as Mamie—married Albert George in 1896, and the couple inherited the family's holdings. Their fortune increased when oil was discovered on their land. However, the Georges had no heirs. Their only child, Davis, died of cholera as an infant, and niece Mary Jones also died young. In 1945, the couple decided to use their wealth to benefit the people of Fort Bend County by forming The George Foundation.
"[The Georges] had some tragedy in their lives, but establishing the foundation was a way they could truly benefit the community," Adamson said. "It's truly a remarkable feat, as the county's changed and the world has changed, but their foresight has truly had a big impact on the county."
The organization typically awards grants to local nonprofits. There are currently 124 active grantees, Adamson said, which include University of Houston, Catholic Charities, Boy and Girl Scouts and the Fort Bend Museum Association.
The George Foundation also provides an estimated $1.8 million in need-based scholarships to Fort Bend County students each year. These scholarships are awarded to both four-year university and trade school students enrolled in areas of nursing, social work and other service-based programs.
Youth in Philanthropy
The George Foundation's Youth in Philanthropy program awards selected high school students with scholarships after they perform six months of volunteer work at a local nonprofit.
Each month, dozens of students volunteer to help the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation gather historic bricks left from the closing of the Imperial Sugar Company.
215 Morton St. Richmond 281-232-3013
Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
