About Houston Independent School District Foundation
We bridge the gap between taxpayer resources and what is truly needed to ensure Houston's children thrive by connecting philanthropic resources with district stakeholders to increase opportunities for students and ensure their success.
Focus Areas
K-12 educationTeacher support and professional developmentStudent enrichment (arts, athletics, STEM)Scholarships and college accessEmergency relief and technology for learningDistrict-wide programming and capacity building
Who They Fund
K-12 students in Houston Independent School DistrictHISD teachers and school staffHISD campuses and school improvement projectsunderserved / equity-priority students (low-income or historically marginalized)
About Houston Independent School District Foundation
The Houston Independent School District Foundation’s recent grant history is defined by large program-support awards to Houston Independent School District itself, including $1,622,018 in 2023 and $1,461,750 in 2024. That pattern points to a foundation focused on district-wide capacity rather than a narrow set of outside charities. Its work is built around connecting philanthropic resources with district stakeholders so Houston’s children can thrive, with support flowing into academic excellence, educator and leadership development, and student opportunity pathways. The foundation also funds school-level and educator-led activity through programs such as the Ideation Fund, the Opportunity Fund, the Relief Fund, and the Community Choice Grant. Those programs cover classroom innovation, operational improvements, enrichment, emergency response, and school-community priorities. Scholarship support is another recurring part of the portfolio, with last-dollar funding used to help students meet postsecondary costs. The recent grants table, combined with the active program list, shows a funder operating inside one school district with a mix of flexible grantmaking, competitive awards, and donor-partnered scholarship distribution.
What Houston Independent School District Foundation Funds
In classroom innovation and school improvement, the foundation supports educator-led projects through the Ideation Fund, which allows Houston ISD educators to launch small projects that directly affect student learning or improve operations. The grant program is open to educators and supports supplemental experiences and projects that improve student outcomes. For student enrichment, the Opportunity Fund is aimed at schools and students who have traditionally gone without, with special attention to low-income students and students with disabilities. Its permitted uses include enrichment, fine arts, athletics, supplemental academics, and unique campus needs. Scholarship support is another clear theme. The foundation distributes last-dollar scholarships and other student awards in partnership with donors, campuses, and HISD departments, using need- and merit-based processes to help with postsecondary costs. The foundation also supports teacher retention and professional growth through the Educator Support Fund, which can cover classroom makeovers, professional development for counselors, and recognition for classroom or school leadership.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$820K
Total Assets
$5.9M
Total Revenue
$1.9M
Total Expenses
$3.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $1.5M and $1.6M, with a median of $1.5M.
25th Percentile
$1.5M
Median
$1.5M
75th Percentile
$1.6M
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Katherine Smith
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