MARFA — Though the calendar year is coming to a close, Marfa Education Foundation (MEF) is very much in the middle of a year of fundraising for programs at Marfa ISD.
“Our fiscal year coincides with the school’s, so we are taking stock of what we’ve been able to do so far and how far we have yet to go to fund all of our programs and be in good shape for the next school year,” said MEF’s Executive Director Abby Boyd. “We have been fortunate to have amazing foundation partnerships, and have had a great showing of generosity from Marfa locals this year.”
MEF is making a big impact on art and literacy at Marfa ISD thanks to the Rea Charitable Trust, which granted funds for the second year in a row. This year the $30,000 is split among several programs, including a University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition-compliant props package and allowing one-act play students to rehearse for competition more effectively. MEF also allocated funds for supplies for the middle school and high school art classroom, library books, literacy training for elementary teachers, and support for Marfa Studio of Arts, which provides elementary art classes. A new addition to the arts program, the conjunto band, received $3,000 for the purchase of instruments and equipment to kick off the band’s first year at MISD.
Other supporters making a big impact include the Prentice Farrar Brown and Alline Ford Brown Foundation. The check for $25,000 in unrestricted funds allowed MEF to support Marfa Live Arts classroom curriculum, as well as provide technology upgrades for students. Abell-Hanger, who has given support for the sciences in past years came through again with $10,000 for science classroom supplies and projects, which will be divided among teachers in the district. The Wayne & Jo Ann Moore Charitable Foundation continued its more than decade-long support of dual-credit classes for Marfa High School students, which has shown an increase in participation this year thanks to a concerted effort from district administrators.
Other foundations contributing to MEF’s schedule of programs include the Still Water Foundation, which funds MindPop training for teachers, contributes to teacher grants and teacher appreciation events as well as Career Day and college preparatory courses for juniors and seniors.The Dollar General Literacy Foundation shares support of Marfa Elementary’s Guided Reading program with the Rea Foundation. The FMH Foundation gave a one-time unrestricted grant that will provide teacher training, and a grant from the Mitchell Foundation will provide technical education classes and contribute to classroom supplies that teachers request through small grants.
With support from individual donor Vicki Pfeifer and others, MEF is continuing their scholarship program this year for graduates of Marfa ISD who are currently enrolled in a college or trade school as a sophomore or higher level. Scholarships are intended to help Marfa graduates complete college by easing some of the financial hardship. Applications for the scholarship are open now, closing at 11:59 pm on December 16, and anyone who qualifies is encouraged to apply.
In 2024 the Education Foundation was also supported through local events as a featured nonprofit. The Marfa 100 bike race encouraged participants to make donations that ended up totaling $3,000, and the Marfa Municipal Alliance used funds raised at their Loretta Lynn tribute show to benefit MEF programs. MEF plans to co-host the second annual Arm Wrestling Competition with local Christy Miller again this spring.
Looking to the new year and the spring semester at Marfa ISD, MEF looks forward to continuing auditorium and playground updates, as well as applying for grants they hope will support much needed technology upgrades and music programs at Marfa ISD. “There is always a need for more support at our school,” Boyd said. “That’s why keeping great relationships with our funders is so important. If we can keep our regular programs in good standing, that allows us to look for support for even more resources that benefit Marfa students. The plan is to just keep going and keep growing, and we are so grateful to everyone who has helped us this year.”
Marfa Education Foundation is a registered (501) c3 nonprofit organization that works to support and enhance the work of the Marfa Independent School District. Marfa ISD staff and administration as well as the MEF Board of Directors and direct the programs supported by MEF. Decisions for the 2025-26 school year budget will be made at the MEF board meeting in August, 2025.
To learn more about MEF programs visit marfaeducationfoundation.org.
