Established in 2006, the Hockley County Endowment (HCE) marked another successful year of community investment.
The endowment recently held its first awards banquet at the South Plains College Sundown Room, where over $23,000 in grants were given to deserving nonprofits serving the Hockley County community.
The event, attended by 50 guests, showcased the commitment of HCE to enhance the well-being of the local community. Each grant recipient was individually introduced, along with a presentation highlighting why they received funding from HCE.
The roots of Hockley County Endowment trace back to Sicilly Lattimore, who sought assistance from The Community Foundation of West Texas. In a collaborative effort, a board of directors was selected to raise funds, kickstarted by a matching grant of $50,000 from the CH Foundation. Once the directors successfully raised $75,000 to match the CH Foundation’s offer, the Helen Devitt Jones Foundation granted an additional $40,000 laying the foundation for the Hockley County Endowment.
The endowment is composed of 19 Designated Funds, three Donor Advised Funds, and the Hockley Community Fund. Collectively, these entities combined for a total worth exceeding $1.3 million. The Hockley Community fund, exclusively dedicated to providing grants within Hockley County, has accumulated over $360,000. The endowment’s goal is to elevate the fund to an $1 million, further expanding its impact on the community.
The present Board of Directors overseeing the operation of the Hockley County Endowment includes: President, Joey J. Pierce; Vice President, Sarah Thompson; Amber Hinson; Devin Sonnenburg; Katy Rush; Kimberly Rico; Ryan Fitzgerald and Mathew Birdwell.