This African proverb sums up the many reasons why the BEST Education Foundation exists. As citizens in this community, we are the “village” committed to shepherding our youth to adulthood.

We believe that the investment made in the youth of our community will be repaid tenfold when they reach adulthood.

As a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community organization, the BEST Education Foundation generates and distributes resources to support and enrich education for all students in the Garland Independent School District.

This foundation was established to support the students and staff of the Garland Independent School District, which emcompasses the north Texas communities of Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse. The foundation is overseen by a 25-member Board of Directors, comprised of a cross-section of the community served by the Garland ISD. The foundation operates independently, but in cooperation, with the district.

The BEST Education Foundation supports educational excellence by providing funds for enrichment purposes in program areas not otherwise funded by Garland ISD. Funding does not replace or alter use of funds from traditional tax-based purposes.

Goals

• To encourage academic excellence in the Garland Independent School District by providing funds not available through local, state, or federal sources.
• To provide a perpetual source of funds with gifts received from individuals, businesses, corporations, organizations, and other foundations.
• To serve as a catalyst for involving the three communities within the school district in education.

Programs

From its inception, the Foundation has underwritten the programs of the Business Education Scholastic Team (BEST).

Two programs operate under the umbrella of BEST: Texas Scholars, which encourages students to take academically challenging courses and Partners in Education, which matches businesses and community groups to schools to provide tutoring, mentoring, in-kind donations, or other support.
Through the Education Foundation, funds are provided to support the activities of both of these programs.

With the generous financial support of the community, several specialized programs have been implemented. They include:

• Grants-to-Teachers - classroom grants for teachers to implement special programs in their classrooms
• School Site Grants - grants to a given campus to implement a selected special program designed to help their students succeed.
• Seed Grants - sometimes, staff identifies a program that would become self-sufficient, but needs a little "seed money" to get started.
• Scholarships to Teachers - each semester, teachers may submit receipts from their enrollment in higher education for that semester. Near the end of the semester, the Foundation Board holds a drawing, and awards up to $500.00 reimbursement to the winner(s) drawn.
• Paraprofessional Scholarships - BEST provides scholarships to help these staff members attend professional workshops leading to CEOP (Certified Education Office Professional) certification.

In addition, other programs will be implemented as funds become available or as they are endowed. They include:

• Motivational Scholarships for High School Students
• Enrichment Grants for Students and Teachers
• Excellence Awards for Teachers
• Excellence Awards for Students

How Are Funds Managed?

To appropriately manage the money given by donors, the BEST Education Foundation has entered into a financial agreement with the Garland Independent School District to manage the foundation’s funds and investments. While the Foundation has adopted its own investment policy, it mirrors that of the school district and other public funds. All Foundation funds are managed and invested in accordance with the state’s mandated “Public Funds Investment Act.” The Act focuses primarily on the safety and liquidity of the investments and reporting requirements.

It takes a village to raise a child.

As you know, school district budgets get tighter each year. Districts struggle with many of the same challenges facing the business community; rising health care costs for employees and their families, rising costs for utilities and facility maintenance, competition for qualified workers, and more. The fixed costs make it harder and harder for schools to provide the “extras” that can make a difference in a young person’s education.

Therefore, the mission of BEST Education Foundation becomes more and more important as time goes on. We hope that you share the belief that our youth represent the future of our community, and deserve your support. We appreciate being considered as a beneficiary of your charitable dollars, and we pledge to use those dollars wisely.

Click here to see a few "success stories" that have resulted from Foundation funding.