In 2007, The Resource Development Division of Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) created the Texas Center for Grants Development (TCGD) in order to expand its scope of work and delivery of services.

Utilizing public resources through the design, direction and implementation of diversified funding strategies, TCGD’s services support higher educational institutions, nonprofit, faith- and community-based organizations, and  other organizations that request grant-related services.

TCGD’s staff focuses its efforts on identifying and submitting funding applications and has direct experience with federal, state, local, and private funding opportunities. Since its inception, TCGD has generated over $68 million dollars for the Houston area communities. TCGD also provides: customized funding forecasts; master proposals, grant writing training, proposal writing, and proposal reviews. It also produces GrantQuest^©, an e--publication of grant opportunities.

For more information on the Resource Development Division: http://www.hcde-texas.org/default.aspx?name=resourcedev.

Gayla Rawlinson, M.A. is the director of Resource Development and Texas Center for Grants Development. During the last nine years, she has coordinated proposal development processes, bringing in over $162 million to the greater Houston area.

Vida L. Avery, Ph.D., a native Houstonian, is the manager for Resource Development over the Texas Center for Grants Development (TCGD). Being instrumental in developing the department, Dr. Avery promotes TCGD's grant-related services. Over the last year and a half, she has assisted and worked closely with nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations, bringing in over $35 million for the Houston/Harris County area.

Martha Silva-Froude is the secretary for the Resource Development Division and Texas Center for Grants Development. She is instrumental in keeping everything and everyone on track.

TCGD also has access to staff in the Resource Development Division, who are available to assist with completing projects and who also contribute their time conducting workshops.

Jennifer Hughes, M.Ed. is the manager of Resource Development over Grant Resources. During the last five years, she has coordinated proposals that have brought in almost $100 million to the greater Houston area. She has 13 years of grant experience, including planning, implementation, fiscal management and evaluation.

Joyce Akins, M.A. is the development coordinator for Resource Development. Prior to joining HCDE, Ms. Akins worked for 11 years as an evaluator with the U.S. General Accounting Office and four years with a local nonprofit organization. At HCDE, she has successfully engaged corporations to support HCDE programs and helped mobilize approximately $2 million in funding from government and private sources.