What is the Victoria ISD Education Foundation

The VISD Education Foundation began in 2008, and is a non-profit organization that serves as a link between the school district and our community.  Led by a volunteer board of directors comprised of 31 community members, the foundation raises monies to fund projects that go above and beyond state mandates to provide those learning experiences that inspire our students and further their education.  The Foundation’s goal is to generate and distribute resources to VISD that enrich teaching, inspire learning and enhance opportunities for students to become contributing members of our society.

The Victoria ISD Education Foundation provides an innovative source of funding to support the school district's stated mission of excellence in education.  The Foundation does not replace lost state funding or take the place of the district's operating budget, but does provide monies for those projects and activities that go beyond the normal classroom experience.  Every one of VISD’s 27 campuses has received money from the Foundation.

The Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser is the benefit concert.  Past concerts include 1964: A Beatles Tribute, Three Dog Night and Creedence Clearwater Revisited.  This year’s concert, featuring Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Show, will take place at the VISD Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

What does the Foundation fund?

The Victoria ISD Education Foundation uses the money raised through the Kids & Classrooms Concert to fund a variety of projects that benefit VISD students.

The Foundation underwrites Grants for Great Ideas, an innovative grant program specifically for VISD, funding classroom and school projects that enhance student learning.  Since the program’s inception in 2009, over $250,000 has been awarded to over 100 projects impacting 54,671 students!  No other nonprofit organization in Victoria has this kind of influence in the academic lives of children.  

In its most recent grant cycle, the Foundation awarded $49,744 funding a variety of project types that ranged from advanced technology such as scientific data collection tools and 3D printers to playground equipment and activity sets for children with special needs.  Former grants include: the robotics program at Howell Middle School; “QR this...and Read, Read, Read!” at Victoria West High School; “Fun in the Sun” at Hopkins Elementary; “Stop & Think Social Skills” at all elementary campuses; and “History Comes Alive” at multiple campuses.

In addition to grant funding, the VISD Education Foundation also awards scholarships to graduating seniors and sponsors a leadership scholarship, and most recently partnered with Victoria College and the Victoria College Foundation to expand postsecondary opportunities for VISD students by offering tuition costs for dual credit courses at a reduced rate.  The Education Foundation also partners with VISD to support its new teachers by providing each new educator with a mini-grant to purchase supplies so they can create a stimulating learning environment in their classrooms.