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Tyler ISD Foundation reports near-record year, $449,689 raised and more than $4 million gifted since 1990
Summary
The Tyler ISD Foundation told the school board it has raised $449,689 so far this fiscal year, increased corporate and individual giving substantially and gifted more than $211,000 to the district during the year; lifetime gifts exceed $4 million since the foundation's 1990 inception.
The Tyler ISD Foundation reported to the Board of Trustees that it has raised $449,689 so far in the current fiscal year and has gifted a little over $211,000 to Tyler ISD during the same period.
Suzette Farr, identified in the presentation as the foundation's executive director, told trustees the foundation has substantially increased corporate sponsorships (up 25.8%) and individual donor giving (up 114.39%) and that the foundation's board has been intentional about diversifying revenue so it does not rely on employee-giving campaigns or endowment distributions.
Why it matters: foundation-funded grants and programs supplement district resources for teachers and students. Farr said the foundation's gifts support district events and programs, scholarships, professional-development and emergency grants, and the Grants for Great Ideas program.
Details provided in the report: the foundation has awarded $64,500 in student scholarships this year and about $6,665 so far in teacher appreciation and support (Farr said that figure will end up closer to $20,000 by the fiscal-year end). Grants for Great Ideas funded 35 grants across 16 campuses and the transportation department; the foundation distributed roughly $100,000 through Grants for Great Ideas and obtained an additional $15,000 from community partners to finish funding some campus requests.
The foundation also reported a partnership with district health services and counseling to establish "care closets" at six campuses, with a seventh planned at Early College. From April 1 to May 23, staff said the care-closet initiative provided 278 weekend meal kits and assisted 124 students with clothing and hygiene items.
The foundation's report noted lifetime giving to Tyler ISD has reached more than $4 million since the foundation was created in 1990. Board members and trustees thanked the foundation leaders in attendance, including board president Courtney Burleson, vice president of programs Shannon Franzen, vice president of development Chris Hazel and vice president of marketing events Elva Estrada.
Discussion vs. decision: this was an informational annual report; no board action was required or taken. Trustees verbally encouraged colleagues to support the foundation where possible.
Clarifying details recorded: fiscal year ends Aug. 31; figures were current through June 1 for the fiscal-year-to-date revenue total; the Grants for Great Ideas program funded 35 grants across 16 campuses plus transportation.
