United Way of Galveston has selected the inaugural cohort for the Coffee & Quality: Galveston Fellows Program, marking a major step in the local expansion of a proven capacity-building model for nonprofit organizations.

The inaugural cohort was selected through a competitive application process that drew significant interest from Galveston-area nonprofits. The response affirmed what United Way of Galveston continues to see across the local nonprofit sector: organizations are eager for practical, high-quality capacity-building opportunities that help them strengthen programs, use data more effectively, and tell the story of their impact with greater clarity.

A Partnership Bringing Coffee & Quality to Galveston

Coffee & Quality: Galveston reflects a strong network of funders, partners, and local nonprofit leaders. The Coffee & Quality model was developed by United Way of Greater Houston, which continues to lead the learning experience and bring deep expertise in nonprofit data practices, evaluation, and continuous improvement. The Galveston expansion grew through a strong partnership with United Way of Greater Houston, including the leadership of Jessica Davison, Assistant Vice President of Mission and Strategy, and Allison Mattingly, Senior Quality Coach, who will guide the Galveston Fellows Program cohort throughout the summer.

United Way of Galveston is serving as the local host and implementation partner, coordinating the logistics, communications, and local relationships needed to bring the model to Galveston’s nonprofit community. Local implementation is being led by Lindsey White, Executive Director, and Jennifer Jameson, Director of Finance, whose role includes supporting the systems, coordination, and financial stewardship needed to launch and sustain Coffee & Quality in Galveston.

The Galveston expansion is supported by Houston Endowment, Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, and Permanent Endowment Fund of Moody Methodist Church, with important partnership and learning connections through Rice University’s Kinder Institute and UTMB Health’s Institute for Translational Sciences.

“Galveston nonprofits are already doing essential, complicated, community-centered work,” said Lindsey White, Executive Director of United Way of Galveston. “Coffee & Quality gives these organizations dedicated time, expert guidance, and practical tools to strengthen the data and systems that support their missions. The level of interest in this first cohort shows that Galveston organizations are ready for serious, useful capacity-building opportunities.”

2026 Coffee & Quality: Galveston Fellows Program Cohort

The 2026 Coffee & Quality: Galveston Fellows Program cohort includes:

Access Care of Coastal Texas
Laura Kicklighter, Chief Development Officer
Christin Roe, Chief Program Officer

ADA Women’s Center
Kimberly Beatty, Executive Director
Jessica Barron, Case Manager

Bay Area Council, Scouting America
Lisa Stegman, CEO
Sonya Harvey, Registrar

CTRL+CREATE
Cora Moore, Founder & Executive Director
Shanice Blair, Board Treasurer

Galveston Arts Center
Teresa Potter, Executive Director
Kellie Rooks, Education Director

Galveston Central Church
Rev. Michael Gienger, Pastor
Amy Whitecotton, Office Manager

Galveston County Food Bank
Cynthia Ramirez, Grants Administrator

Galveston Island Meals on Wheels
Kelly Cruz, Executive Director

SMART Family Literacy
Elizabeth Turner, Founder and Executive Director
Amy Musick, Co-Executive Director

Teen Health Center, Inc.
Margie Kusnerik, Executive Director
Heather Cash, Director of Mental Health Services

The Artist Boat
Karla Klay, Executive Director
Amy Neblett, Operations Director

Upcoming Coffee & Quality Opportunities

The Fellows Program is one part of a broader Coffee & Quality effort in Galveston, with additional opportunities already open for nonprofit professionals who want practical tools for stronger data, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

For organizations interested in Coffee & Quality, two upcoming sessions provide immediate ways to engage:

☕Coffee & Quality Galveston Lunch & Learn: Creating & Using Surveys to Measure What Matters
Thursday, June 11, 2026
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
United Way of Galveston
Register: https://form.jotform.com/uwgalv/June2026-lunch-and-learn

☕Coffee & Quality Online Session
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UCTEG2O9QkSZIncPqvhtSg#/registration

United Way of Galveston is grateful to the funders, partners, and participating organizations helping bring Coffee & Quality to Galveston and expand access to practical, high-quality capacity-building opportunities for local nonprofits.