NONPROFIT Montgomery ISD Education Foundation Organization helps ll gaps in state funding through grants T he Montgomery ISD Education Foundation is a nonpro t organization that exists to provide creative and innovative teaching for the health science class, and created a one-time event called “Peace of Mind” to give teachers local mental and physical health resources and advice. BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
“The board is passionate about education and giving back to their students,” she said. “The best way to move our community forward is to invest in our students and teachers.” The foundation was formed in 2014 by the then- MISD school board president and superintendent. Shortly after, Ortiz said the foundation moved out from under MISD to stand alone as a nonpro t. Board members include business owners, bankers, chamber of commerce leaders, Leadership Montgomery County participants, Realtors and former superintendents. Ortiz said in FY 2022-23, the board gave $90,000 back to the school district and awarded over $64,000 across 30 di erent educator grants. A large portion of the proceeds came from the foundation’s two biggest fundraisers: the Spring Soiree in April and the annual golf tournament in October. “We put the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising,’” Ortiz said. “We’re always looking for creative and fun ways to engage our donors in our community.”
The Montgomery ISD Education Foundation gives out educator grants. (Courtesy MISD Education Foundation)
instructions to MISD schools, said Ti any Ortiz, executive director of the foundation. She said the organization’s goal is to ll the gaps left from a lack of state funding. “Over 80% of all taxpayer dollars go back into salaries and funding the overall operations of the school district,” she said. “So there is not a lot of room left for creativity and innovation.” Ortiz said that is where the foundation steps in. The foundation provides funding through a variety of grants, including the Educator Grant, which is awarded to teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals to bring creative learning to the classroom. “We want to make sure that our students have an education that isn’t just in the classroom,” she said. “We want to fund outdoor classrooms, go on impactful trips and bring new resources here.” In scal year 2022-23, Ortiz said funding from the foundation paid for a new ceramics class in the ne arts department, bought blood pressure simulators
GIVING BACK The education foundation raises funds to award to MISD schools and educators. In scal year 2022-23, the foundation:
Is projected to give $90,000 to MISD
Awarded over $64,000 in educator grants
Gave out 30 grants
Hosted 2 major fundraising events
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
Montgomery ISD Education Foundation To get involved in the foundation, visit www.montgomeryisdef.org.
512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu highschool.utexas.edu
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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