Thousands of local donors are making it possible for Hockley County programs to continue.
Established in 2006, the Hockley County Endowment (HCE) celebrated another year of successful community investment at its recent awards banquet held in the South Plains College Sundown Room.
During the event, more than $24,000 in grants were presented to nonprofits serving Hockley County, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to enhancing the local community’s well-being. Hockley County Endowment has awarded 319 grants totaling more than $390,000 since 2007.
The first grant was $2,500 for the Levelland Community Playground Project.
Invited guests attended the evening, where six nonprofits received grants from the Hockley Community Fund for their work improving the lives of residents. Each recipient was introduced, and a presentation highlighted the reasons they were awarded funds by HCE. The recipients applied for the funds and a local committee of citizens selected this year’s recipients that included: From Texas With Love – Homeless Animals: Maryan Moore presented a check to support their efforts in rescuing and caring for homeless animals.
Wallace Theater: Kimberly Rico presented a check to support their mission of enriching the arts and cultural scene in Levelland.
Chamber of Commerce Levelland Area: Ryan Nolan presented a check to help with local business development and economic growth.
Levelland Animal Friends: Greg Kelley presented a check for their ongoing work to promote animal welfare.
Love Levelland: Katy Rush presented a check to assist in repairs and restoration from the storms in 2024.
CASA of the South Plains Inc.: Devin Sonnenburg presented a check to support their advocacy for children in the foster care system.
In addition to the presentation of grants, Dr. Matt Birdwell spoke to the success of the Hockley County Endowment. He showed a fundraising thermometer that tracks how close HCE is to reaching its goal of $1 million in the Hockley Community Fund.
The Hockley County Endowment, which was originally inspired by community leader Sicily Lattimore, has grown substantially over the years. Lattimore partnered with The Community Foundation of West Texas to establish the endowment, and a $50,000 matching grant from the CH Foundation helped kickstart fundraising efforts. With the community’s support, an additional $75,000 was raised, which was followed by a $40,000 contribution from the Helen Divit Jones Foundation. This collaborative effort laid the foundation for what is now a thriving local resource.
Today, the Hockley County Endowment includes 31 Designated Funds, 3 Donor Advised Funds, and the Hockley County Community Fund, with a total value of all funds exceeding $1.5 million. The Hockley Community Fund, which has accumulated over $397,000, focuses solely on providing grants to nonprofits within Hockley County. HCE’s current goal is to grow this fund to $1 million, further increasing its ability to support local projects and organizations.
In addition to the banquet, HCE is gearing up for its participation in Giving Tuesday WTX, part of a global movement encouraging charitable giving. The endowment is calling on the community to support its efforts through online donations. Contributions will help HCE continue its mission of uplifting the Hockley County community through strategic grants and investments.
For more information about the Hockley County Endowment and how to contribute, visit www.hockleycountyendowment.org or participate in their Giving Tuesday campaign through this link: https://tinyurl.com/ hcegtwtx23.
As HCE looks toward the future, it remains dedicated to enriching the lives of the community it serves, continuing to make Hockley County a better place for all.