MARFA — The Marfa Education Foundation (MEF), a local nonprofit supporting educational programs at Marfa ISD since 2011, is preparing to approve its largest-ever budget in early August. As the district faces another year of operating under a budget deficit, MEF’s expanded support is becoming increasingly vital.
MEF funds essential programs that might otherwise be cut due to limited district resources and enables projects the school would likely never be able to consider.
“In the year ahead, we’re looking forward to major improvements in the music program and at least one new computer lab — though we’re hoping funding comes through for a second,” said Executive Director Abby Boyd. “We’re looking at a 79% increase in program funding — maybe more.”
At the June 30 school board meeting, Boyd presented financials reflecting MEF’s significant growth. “We saw a 67% increase in fundraising from the 2023–24 school year to 2024–25,” she said. “That includes grants we apply for as well as donations from individuals and local businesses.”
So, what’s fueling this momentum?
“We have long-standing relationships with several foundations that continue to support our programs, and we’re also forming new ones,” Boyd said. “It’s a rigorous process with many funders, but the good news is they see that our school is worth investing in.”
In the past two years, MEF has secured support from five new foundations and has applications pending with two more.
One of the largest awards for the coming year is a $120,000 grant from the FMH Foundation to support music and performing arts. The funds will cover instruments and equipment for the conjunto band, costumes for Ballet Folklorico, and a subscription to QuaverEd, a web-based music curriculum for elementary students.
The conjunto band — introduced to the middle and high school schedule in 2023 — quickly became popular among students. “As soon as Superintendent Alferez proposed the idea, I knew we had a strong chance of getting it funded,” Boyd said. “Not only is it a great cultural fit for our community, it’s the right size for our student body.”
It’s not just foundations that are making a difference. Local fundraising and community events have also helped MEF surpass goals.
In the 2024–25 school year, MEF was the featured nonprofit for the Marfa100, raising $3,000. The Marfa Municipal Alliance also dedicated its Loretta Lynn tribute show at Planet Marfa to MEF, raising another $3,000. This year’s “Armed and Generous,” a community arm-wrestling competition that funds MEF scholarships, brought in nearly $11,000.
“I thought setting the goal at $10,000 was a stretch, but we hit it and kept going. I was blown away,” Boyd said. “Each donation is a vote of confidence from our community — an investment in Marfa’s future through our students. Our community depends on Marfa ISD graduates. Look around — locals fill the most essential roles. And as we do a better job of preparing students for the working world, I hope to see these kids in some of the higher-profile roles in Marfa that often go to people outside our community.”
Looking ahead, MEF is prioritizing technology infrastructure to better prepare students for future opportunities.
“Marfa’s contribution to the BBRISE collaboration with Marathon and Alpine ISDs will be a computer science pathway,” Boyd explained. “We’re hoping to get the new computer lab up and running before the end of the school year so students can take dual-credit computer classes and earn professional certifications.”
A recent labor market analysis of the area supplied by BBRISE found that three of the top five most in-demand skills are related to computer literacy.
“These classes benefit all students — those entering the workforce right after graduation, and those pursuing degrees in computer science or anything else,” Boyd said. “These are universal skills. It’s a smart move for Marfa students.”
Marfa Elementary will be the first to benefit from the increased investment in technology. A grant from the Prentice Farrar Brown and Alline Ford Brown Foundation will support the installation of a new computer lab for the 2025–26 school year. Principal Rosie Martinez has already included technology skill-building in next year’s curriculum plan.
Beyond major projects, MEF continues to fund a wide range of programs that students and teachers rely on — from college and career readiness to classroom supplies, field trips, academic competitions, literacy, the arts, facility improvements, teacher training and scholarships.
“Public school funding in Texas has decreased by 12.9% per student since 2020,” Boyd noted. “When you add in the large amount Marfa ISD pays back to the state because of high property values, the district is in a tough position. We see our duty not just as supporting individual students, but supporting our community as a whole. We all need to be involved in finding a solution.”