Board of Public Trusts (Houston Foundation)
Finance Department
611 Walker St, 11th Floor, Room 1140
Houston, TX 77002
Contact: Sherry Mose
Phone: (713) 837-9664 Fax: (713) 837-9664
Email: Sherry.mose@cityofhouston.net
Updated as of: 6/25/2009
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(City)
Created by City Council in 1915 to establish a board of trustees to manage and distribute gifts and bequests to the City of Houston for charitable and benevolent purposes. The funds and estates accruing from charitable and benevolent gifts made to the City of Houston are collectively known as the Houston Foundation. Section 36-20 et seq. Article II, Chapter 36 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
(a) The Board of Public Trusts shall proceed to make provision for properly organized work to meet such needs as may now exist or hereafter arise in the city under the following general heads:
1. Care of dependent and helpless children.
2. Nursing the sick.
3. Free bureau for securing employment.
4. Humane treatment of children and animals.
5. Bureau for social service information.
(b) The Board of Public Trusts shall have the power:
(SPECIAL NOTE) Following are not all inclusive as pursuant to the City of Houston Code of Ordinances Sec. 36-26.
1. To investigate all charities dependent upon public appeal or general solicitation for support, and to endorse such of them as meet actual needs of the community, attain a reasonable standard of efficiency and are so conducted as to insure the public of the wise use of funds.
2. To encourage the formation of new private charities to meet the needs that are not already provided for, and to foster all worthy enterprises of a philanthropic nature and to give assistance thereto.
3. To disburse all funds set apart by the city for charitable purposes, and to make a report to the city council of the work done in connection therewith.
4. To receive donations, gifts or bequests to be used for charitable or philanthropical purposes, and to administer any trust declared or created for any such purpose in accordance with the terms of such trust not in conflict with the provisions of section 36-1 of this Code.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Third Monday of even-numbered months; Visitors' Bureau Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall, 901 Bagby St. Special meetings as requested or called by Board members.
COMPOSITION
There is hereby created a board of trustees to be known as the Board of Public Trusts, consisting of nine members, each of whom shall be a resident of the city, of skill and discretion in handling financial and trust matters, of good moral character, interested in welfare work, and possessing a knowledge of the civic, educational, physical and moral needs of the inhabitants of the city. Any person holding or seeking political office shall be disqualified from serving on such board.
The members of the Board of Public Trusts shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the approval of the city council.
TERM: The trustees shall hold their office for two years and until their successors shall have been duly chosen and qualified. The regular membership positions shall be numbered one through nine. The terms for members in odd-numbered positions shall commence on March 23 of each odd-numbered year and end on March 22 of the next following odd-numbered year. The terms for members in even-numbered positions shall commence on March 23 of each even-numbered year and end on March 22 of the next following even-numbered year.
CHAIRPERSON (PRESIDENT): The trustees of the board of public trusts shall organize by electing one of their number president, who shall hold such office for two years and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston.
MEMBER LIST