The Woodlands was designed with philanthropy as a pillar of the community. George P. Mitchell, founder of The Woodlands, was a businessman and philanthropist who wanted to make sure that giving back was a core part of The Woodlands. He created one of The Woodlands' largest charitable organizations - Interfaith of The Woodlands - in 1973, a year before he officially opened The Woodlands.
Interfaith continues to stand out as a driving force for good in our community, joined by a variety of other philanthropic efforts that have been established in The Woodlands over the past 50 years. Read on to learn how The Woodlands gives back.
INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS
Interfaith assists members of the community with food, holiday giving, gently used clothes (at the Hand Me Up shop), school supplies, crisis assistance, and more.
IN 2023
- 25,855 individuals received food assistance.
- 129,275 meals were served through the food pantry.
- 24,598 individuals received crisis assistance.
- 22,189 senior adults served through senior service programs.
- 10,096 individuals served through Holiday Giving programs.
- 2,574 children received school supplies assistance.
(Source: Interfaith of The Woodlands)
THE CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION
As a non-profit organization, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion provides free performing arts shows, arts scholarships, and arts education to the community. Throughout the years, they've provided...
- $2.1 Million in arts scholarships.
- Arts education events for over 20,000 students.
- 10+ free performing arts concerts every year.
(Source: The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)
MARKET STREET
Since 2004, Market Street has been giving back to the community with their Change for Charity program. Every year, Market Street helps four charities in The Woodlands and surrounding area (one charity per quarter) by donating change that's been accumulated through paid parking meters around the shopping, dining and entertainment destination. The Woodlands Car Club also generously raises money for Change for Charity recipients throughout the year at their events, held the first Sunday of each month.
More than $300,000 has been donated to various charities since the program began. Learn more here.
(Source: Market Street)
THE WOODLANDS ARTS COUNCIL
The Woodlands Arts Council supports public art and arts education in The Woodlands. Every year, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival raises funds for their programs, including scholarships and microgrants for students.
- Throughout its 18 years, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival has raised $1.4 Million.
- The Woodlands Arts Council has donated $40,000 in art scholarships.
- They've also donated $42,000 in art microgrants in partnership with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
- There have been 34 public art projects facilitated by The Woodlands Arts Council since 2014.
(Source: The Woodlands Arts Council)
THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP ARBOR DAY
Along with giving back to the community, The Woodlands Township gives residents the tools to give back to nature. Preservation was another key element of George P. Mitchell's vision, and it continues on today with The Woodlands Township's Arbor Day, where native seedlings are distributed for residents to plant in their yard, in community open space reserves and in forest preserves.
- Since 1977, more than 1.5 million seedings have been shared with residents.
- Canopy trees, which reach heights of 40 to 90 feet, are distributed at Arbor Day.
- Understory trees, which range in height from 8 to 40 feet, are also distributed.
- 10+ varieties of native seedlings are available, including White Oak, Persimmon, and Sweetbay Magnolia.
(Source: The Woodlands Township)
