The SAISD Foundation is happy to announce our new educator grant timeline for the 25-26 school year. This year, we are opening both our Mini-Grant and Bright Idea Grant applications to kick off the new school year. Teachers and staff no longer have to wait until January to begin applying for the larger, more innovative projects. Grant applications will be reviewed monthly by a volunteer committee and will be awarded out the following month, with the last submission deadline for the school year being March 10, 2026.

The majority of our Mini-Grants are awarded through DonorsChoose. While this is our preferred method of funding classroom projects up to $500, non-teachers may submit a grant application through our website. Our Bright Idea grants are for new, ideally innovative projects for a campus, grade level, or department, and can be for projects up to $5,000.

During the 24-25 school year, the SAISD Foundation was able to award over 800 educator grants. We are proud and excited to be able to help fill some of the gaps SAISD educators and staff face, while helping SAISD students excel both in and out of the classroom. The educator grants the SAISD Foundation helped to support last school year consisted of projects from book vending machines, rocketry and solar car kits for STEM clubs, feet cushions to help 3rd graders’ wiggly feet, and more! Check out this fun project awarded to Mark Twain’s Pre-K class to help students learn about the life cycle, https://youtu.be/ys_TLxtoTG0?si=GdG-jUFvB6z4mvk_. Both our Mini-Grants and Bright Idea Grants are open to all SAISD employees and educators.

Interested in being a grant reviewer? It is a great way to see the needs of campuses, the bright ideas of teachers and to be a part of the giving. Grant review meetings are set monthly on the 2nd Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m. at our new office beginning September 11th.  Click here to sign up to join one of our monthly opportunities.

To learn more about these grant opportunities or to apply, visit our website via https://saisdfoundation.com/apply/apply-for-grants/

At SAISD Foundation, we believe every student deserves access to the tools that power learning in today’s world. While not every student has access to a reliable computer for college yet, we are working to ensure they do.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and partners at Compudopt, we are proud to provide free laptops to students enrolled in college. This summer, 150 students enrolled in college were awarded a laptop through giveaway events and our emergency gap program. 

Genevieve, an SAISD parent shared, “Being a parent of 2025 graduating twins was an emotional journey and financially stressful. We were so excited for the upcoming fall semester, where they will both be attending Texas A&M San Antonio, but I was worried about being able to financially cover laptops for both of them by the time school started. A weight was lifted [when we received the devices], and I know my twins will start prepared for the first day and making it easier to succeed at TAMUSA. Thank you to the SAISD Foundation for continuing to help and guide our SAISD Graduates.” 

These laptops are more than just devices — they are gateways to opportunity. With them, students can complete assignments and research projects, connect with teachers and classmates from the comfort of their home/dorm.

By putting technology directly into students’ hands, we are leveling the playing field and ensuring that no student is left behind.

If your student is in need of a laptop for college, you can submit a request by filling out our emergency gap form.

The SAISD Foundation is celebrating another incredible year of volunteer engagement, with 1,188 unique volunteers contributing their time and talents. Volunteer engagement is soaring—our numbers have grown 174% from 2020–2021 to 2024–2025, showing the incredible commitment of our community to supporting SAISD students and teachers. 

The Book Buddies Saturday Sorting Sessions alone received 2,240 hours of volunteer service, equal to an estimated value of $77,930. 

Community spirit was especially strong among our corporate partners. Whataburger volunteers sorted books and joined students at Cameron Elementary to hand-pick books from the bus. These companies and their teams continue to show that supporting students and teachers in SAISD is a community-wide effort.

Candice Jacobs, Community Relations Coordinator at Whataburger, shared, “As someone who has started reading the Magic Treehouse books with my son every night, has rediscovered my love for reading, and as a former teacher, this volunteer opportunity was especially meaningful to me.

It’s always inspiring to see how the SAISD Foundation is making such a big impact in our community, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to contribute. Thank you for organizing a meaningful opportunity for us and for your incredible partnership!” 

The 2025-2026 school year will bring new volunteer opportunities, including playground equipment cleanups, garden stewardship, STEM Bus visits, and grant reviewing. The Foundation is eager to welcome even more community members into this vital work.

Click here or the button below to become a volunteer https://saisdfoundation.com/volunteer/ 

On Saturday, August 9, 22 members of the energetic team from Security Service Federal Credit Union jumped in to ensure the playground at Margil Elementary was ready for action for the new school year. The saying that many hands make light work has never rung more true. We are thankful for their energy, gift of time and the spirit with which they served. With veterans and new members of the company joining together, it was also fun for us to see a strong team being built. Employees enjoyed this opportunity so much, they’ve already scheduled another playground cleanup in October. If your company or organization would like to be part of a playground cleanup or refresh, contact us at csmith@saisd.net to set up your date. 

The vision for the outdoor learning area at Arnold Elementary just got one step closer to its full reality. On Friday, August 22, the school community and supporters gathered to formally open the new shaded outdoor learning area made possible by a grant to the SAISD Foundation from the Charity Ball Association of San Antonio. At the Foundation, we have been working for the past few years to help Arnold bring their vision to life, including their vibrant outdoor garden in partnership with Gardopia Gardens and planting 10 new trees in partnership with the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry Department, which, when mature, will bring additional shade. SAISD alumnus and artist Albert Gonzales' mural is a perfect backdrop to inspire kids to dream big and bring their own visions to life. Albert encouraged the students to utilize this space to create visions for themselves and their futures and to know that he and this community believe in them.

Jocelyn, a fifth-grade student and safety patrol, said it best, “We are Arnold Eagles and we have a new place to fly high in our learning". 

This is the first of four shade structures that will be installed this school year because of the powerful investment of the Charity Ball Association in children. In addition to learning outdoors, these shade structures and tree plantings allow our students to enjoy the outdoors for critical brain breaks in the day in a safer and more enjoyable environment.

Join us on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in Legacy Park (103 W Houston St.) for a free outdoor celebration of music, dance, and culture! Experience the magic of mariachi performances from SAISD middle and high school students along with lively Ballet Folklórico dancers. If you are a mariachi, grab your instrument and play along. Enjoy food trucks, and family-friendly fun.

This special evening is part of the Big Give citywide fundraising campaign, which runs September 16-18, and your support helps ensure every SAISD student has access to instruments, attire, and performance essentials to rake the stage with confidence. All gifts will be matched up to $25,000, doubling your impact!

Learn more and RSVP on our Facebook Event Page.

Let’s lift up culture, community, and student talent—one powerful performance at a time.

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