The Arlington ISD Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, exists to serve the public school students of Arlington by providing extraordinary educational opportunities. The Foundation is supportive of, yet separate from, the Arlington ISD. An all-volunteer Board of Directors comprised of highly experienced, successful representatives from the business and service sectors, along with educators and community members, governs the Foundation. Day-to-day functions are handled by an Executive Director and administrative staff.
The Foundation achieves its mission by funding exceptional teaching grants, providing funds for basic needs for at-risk students and supporting continuing teacher education efforts.
The Whole Story
Arlington Independent School District is the seventh largest school district Texas, with more than 63,000 students in 78 schools. For every ten children in Arlington, more than five (52%) are in such a low income group that they receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch. Yet, it is critical that these and all children receive a chance to succeed.
The state and local funding structure for Arlington Public Schools prohibits any increase in local tax dollars for school operations. Texas school districts continue to receive directives from the state and federal government without additional funding to implement them. Rock, meet hard place: How do you comply with all of the new mandates without additional money?
The AISD Education Foundation strives to bridge these funding gaps by offering three different grant opportunities: Impact, Classroom, and Teacher Tuition awards. Grant dollars help teachers improve the quality of instruction so every child can reach his or her potential.
Since its founding in 1994, AISD Education Foundation has distributed more than $792,659 through 324 separate grant awards to teachers for use in their classrooms.
Benefits produced by the AISD Education Foundation include: improving communication between the district, the community and alumni; providing volunteer opportunities; and garnering resources and funds for use by the district for the enhancement of educational opportunities for the children of the district.
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States