Our Mission

To mobilize the community to invest in student and teacher success 

Our Vision

Every student and teacher thrives in SAISD public schools

Led by our indomitable Executive Director, Judy Geelhoed, a 27-member board of directors, and a staff of 5 dedicated individuals, the SAISD Foundation works to galvanize community investments, both in monetary and human capital, to directly impact the lives of students and teachers in SAISD for the better. These investments don't only create positive change for students and teachers in SAISD, but for the entire San Antonio community and its future.

This month's newsletter highlights two of our primary programs, educator grants and student scholarships. Both programs take the education one step further by offering opportunities that enhance students' experiences and trajectories.

To learn more about who we are and what we do click the link below. If you would like to donate to the SAISD Foundation to support our work click here.

Judy Geelhoed was recognized at the March 21, 2022 SAISD Board of Trustees meeting as a "Friend of the District" by interim superintendent Dr. Robert Jacklich and trustees. Pictured left to right are members of the SAISD Foundation board of directors: Pat DiGiovanni, Amanda Lee Keammerer, Judy Geelhoed, board chair-Ernest Bromley, and Rick Crider.

Read more here.

Planting seeds for success in 20 schools

Soil gardens have been the topic of many innovative grant requests over the years. Teachers know that school-based soil gardens are a powerful hands on method to teach science standards across multiple grade levels and to engage students in social emotional learning. Beyond the grasping of key science concepts, teachers leading past projects have also shared stories of students' growth in pride, confidence and nurturing as they see what they have planted blossom. In partnering with H-E-B this spring, we were able to support both new gardens and the expansion of existing garden projects at 20 SAISD campuses. In preparation of the expansion, the SAISD Science Department worked with teachers who were past garden grant winners during the summer to author lessons across grade levels to support teachers in making their school gardens true outdoor learning environments.

The soil garden expansion complements the work being done across 60 SAISD elementary schools in PE Classes with CHEF where healthy food and nutrition is being taught and experienced during an eight week curriculum for all students.  For middle schoolers in 10 ACE 21st Century after-school programs CHEF's Sow Healthy program teaches similar content. The healthy recipes discussed are also being featured in the school cafeterias, thanks to SAISD Food and Nutrition. Some of the vegetables featured are also being grown in the gardens. 

Our goal is to partner with H-E-B, SAISD Science, Ed Tech, PE, Food and Nutrition, and additional funders who want to enhance learning opportunities as well as decrease social determinants of health to support 20 schools each year.

Representatives of 18 SAISD school campuses picked up soil garden supplies on March 2nd. H-E-B, SAISD Ed Tech, Afterschool Program and SAISD Foundation staff were on hand to distribute gardening supplies.

Innovative Grant Update

Spring is kicking up a flurry of activity for the Innovative Educator Grants program. 2021 Innovative Grant awardees are receiving their equipment and launching their projects. Soon, all 25 Innovative Educator Grants will be in full force.

Visits to schools have begun to see these grants in action. This month we were fortunate to be able lend a hand to build the bases for rain catching barrels at YWLA primary and witness the grand opening of the Mini DoSeum at Hawthorne Academy. These two specific grants were made possible by the direct contributions of EnCap Flatrock Midstream and Firstmark Credit Union respectively. Partners like these are critical to our work.

Meanwhile in March, six workshops for 2022-23 Innovative Grants were held to offer educators the opportunity to ask questions and learn about best practices when applying for grants through the SAISD Foundation. Applications are due April 11, 2022. For more information about our grants program click here.

Help us select Innovative Grant winners and Student Scholarship awardees by joining our review committees in April.

The SAISD Foundation is committed to funding opportunities for employees of SAISD to implement innovative ideas to increase student success. Our external selection committee is asked to review 5-10 applications with a rubric we provide and then come together via Zoom one time as a group to make final recommendations. Serving on this committee is an exciting way to see the incredible ideas of SAISD educators and staff first-hand and be a part of helping them come to life!  

Similarly, Student Scholarship reviewers are asked to review 10 scholarship applications and score them using the rubric provided. Volunteers are critical to finding the best matches for the scholarships we award and the named scholarships we are entrusted to select by funders. Warning, it is no easy job with so many inspiring and talented students and teachers who apply, but it can be done on your own time and our volunteers find it very rewarding!

Sign up for either of these opportunities with the link below. 

SAISD Foundations...

Short stories. Long lasting impact.

A series showcasing how we are building foundations for student success.

Meet Mike Rodriguez, an SAISD Foundation Scholarship recipient in his third year at Austin College with plans to become a history professor. Mike is an alum of Sam Houston.

SAISD Employee Campaign

LUCKY TO HAVE Their Support

On St. Patrick's Day, SAISD Foundation staff camped out behind SAISD HQ for the, "We're Lucky to Have You," event. This event was held to distribute thank you gifts to department and school coordinators of the fall 2021 United Way schools campaign to give to their team members who made qualifying gifts to the SAISD Foundation. In true Irish fashion there was "a little softness falling from the sky", but we were still able to distribute gifts to all those that showed up to our drive-by event and show our appreciation with celebratory cupcakes.

We know this year has been like no other! If you are an SAISD employee and missed the opportunity to give a gift in the fall, but would like to make a one-time or recurring gift through SAISD Payroll Deduction, just click to download the form below, email it to the SAISD Payroll Department listed on the form and they will do the rest!  Employees are some of our most treasured donors! Read more about funds raised to date and school grant winners here.

Foundation staff pictured: Vanessa Manning, Judy Geelhoed, Ana Cardenas, & Carrie Smith.

Effortless Donations

If you are an Amazon shopper, AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support the SAISD Foundation every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice-like SAISD Foundation. You will find us listed as San Antonio Foundation for Excellence in Education. Thank you for your support!

Please click here to see our past newsletters