By ABBY BOYD
MARFA — With the 2023-24 school year coming to a close, Marfa Education Foundation (MEF) is looking back at programs the foundation supported this year and considering what to include in next year’s budget.
The funds raised by MEF are intended to supplement and enhance Marfa ISD’s programs and take some of the weight off of the district’s strained budget. The 2023-24 school year budget totaled $245,350 and included educational programs, technology upgrades, professional development for teachers and staff, and facility upgrades.
Most of MEF’s budget is supported by foundation grants, which MEF applies for annually. Some granters have supported programs for many years, including the Still Water Foundation, which began supporting MEF programs in the 2017-18 school year. This year, Still Water funds have been utilized to support MindPop principals in the classroom, a learning initiative that centers creative teaching across all subjects. The grant has also contributed to upgraded lighting in Gregg Auditorium as well as the development of a sensory room, an extension of the elementary school’s special education classroom.
The Permian Basin Area Foundation continued its support of MEF this school year with a grant for upgraded technology, such as the Chromebooks that every student relies on to complete assignments and for standardized testing. Also included in the grant award was $15,000 for teacher grants. MEF has offered small grants to teachers for any project related to improving the education of their students up to $1,000. This year 16 teachers applied for and were awarded grants for various projects including classroom supplies and professional development.
The Wayne & Jo Ann Moore Charitable Foundation continued their support of dual credit classes, which allow Marfa High School students to accumulate transferable college credits. MEF has supported dual credit classes for Marfa students since 2013, a popular program among students and parents at Marfa ISD. A portion of the Moore grant was allocated to support a program that prepares juniors and seniors for admission to and graduation from four-year universities.
Among new grants MEF received this year is one from the Rea Charitable Trust that helped support literacy programs at Marfa ISD, including books for the library and the continuation of guided reading initiatives that help elementary students read at grade level. Rea funds were also used to support the arts at Marfa ISD, including supplies for middle school and high school art classes, and financial support for Marfa Studio of Arts, a nonprofit facilitating art classes for elementary students.
First-time grants were also awarded by East Mountain Foundation, which contributed $5,000 to Career and Technical Education (CTE), a program championed by Interim Superintendent Arturo Alferez, which allows students to earn professional certifications in a variety of fields, with more than 90 classes taken by high school students this year. The Warren Charitable Foundation gave $15,000 to playground improvements, including a new swing set and materials for a shade structure that will be installed this summer.
Despite best attempts, not all programs can be funded through foundation grants, and MEF relies heavily on individual donations to bridge those gaps. A generous donation from an anonymous donor covered more than half of the $37,000 in stipends given to Marfa ISD teachers and staff around the holidays. Many local businesses and individuals made contributions to support scholarships awarded to Marfa graduates currently enrolled in college. One generous individual contributed $10,000 to the total $23,000 awarded by MEF in scholarships in 2024.
General funds not allocated to specific programs were used to support Marfa Live Arts programs, MISD participation in academic competitions including the state science fair, field trips, professional development for teachers and administrators, meals for students on Shorthorn Success Days, free yearbooks for all seniors and more.
Beyond financial support, this year MEF was proud to partner with The Alamito Foundation to present Career Day to Marfa middle and high school students and looks forward to taking on the program in full next year and into the future. MEF partnered with local businesses and nonprofits to bring opportunities for connections between students and the community at large. This year also marked the highly successful Arm Wrestling fundraiser, which brought in over $6,000 in general funds.
Support and collaboration with the school board, MISD staff and administration direct the programs supported by MEF. Decisions for the 2024-25 school year budget will be made at the MEF board meeting in August.
To learn more about MEF programs visit marfaeducationfoundation.org.