Tag Archives: HISD Foundation

HISD Foundation distributes second round of Hurricane Harvey relief grants 

Thanks to an outpouring of donations from many philanthropists and local organizations, the HISD Foundation distributed almost $200,000 in a second round of Hurricane Harvey relief grants this week.

The distribution comes right in time for more than 150 teachers and staff who were prepping for their summer break.

Grants ranged from $250 to $5,000, with the largest donation being selected personally by Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

“We are happy to have the opportunity to give once again to those who needed the most,” Dr. Lathan said. “As we near the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, there are still individuals who are rebuilding and need all they help they can get.”

The Foundation decided in February to accept another round of applications from principals and administration for the second round. The grants were awarded based on need, the number of applications, and available funds.

Horn ES teacher upgrades classroom thanks to Innovation Grant 

Horn Elementary School students can’t help but have their senses ignited when they walk into the classroom of STEM teacher Alex Jones, a recipient of one of the HISD Foundation’s Innovation Grants this school year.

For the 2017-2018 school year, the Foundation was able to award more than $150,000 in Innovation Grants, thanks to the generous donations from local community members and business partnerships.

Jones received $7,000 to purchase tablets, drones, and robots for his classroom.  Continue reading →

HISD Foundation awards nearly $150,000 to 18 schools across the district

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza’s call to rebuild and reimagine the future of HISD’s classrooms arrived just in time at this year’s State of the Schools, where Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Carranza announced the recipients of the HISD Foundation’s Innovation Grant.

Using funds raised from last year’s State of the School’s ceremony, the Foundation awarded 18 campuses nearly $150,000 as part of the district’s new Innovation Grant program that was created to provide funds for teachers and schools to purchase equipment, supplies, and other items to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. Continue reading →

AIG donates $100,000 to HISD Foundation for Harvey relief efforts

At the November HISD Board of Education meeting, representatives from American International Group (AIG) presented a donation of $100,000 to the HISD Foundation for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

“The American International Group (AIG) has historically been a strong and generous supporter of the Houston community,” Board of Education President Wanda Adams said during the meeting. “That has been especially true in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.” Continue reading →

HISD Foundation names new executive director

The Houston ISD Foundation has selected Ann Best Scott as its new executive director to lead efforts to support districtwide and school-based programs that provide every student with a rigorous education.

Scott has worked with education-based nonprofits such as Raise Your Hand Texas as a vice president of board development and recruitment and with Teach for America as a senior vice president of education leadership. She previously worked at HISD as a chief human resources officer. She will begin this week in her new role at the foundation, which was most recently led by interim executive director and former HISD Chief of Staff Michele Pola. Continue reading →