VOLUNTEER
The Hays CISD Education Foundation (HEF) is a nonprofit organization whose exclusive mission is to support teachers and students in Hays Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD). At the HEF, we believe that when we invest in teachers, we invest in every child they teach and that the entire Hays community benefits.
The Foundation has a strong history of supporting HCISD. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 to support educators and students in HCISD.
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During the 2024-2025 school year, the Foundation provided HCISD with over $200,000 in support for teachers and students. Through the generosity of our donors, we were able to:
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Purchase tools necessary for students to work on the heavy truck donated to the auto tech program at Johnson High School so that they could ultimately earn the new Heavy Truck ASE Certification.
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Create a dedicated workspace for braille transcribers to create accessible academic materials for students with visual impairments.
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Purchase golf equipment so that all students on the Lehman high school golf team could participate in UIL competitions.
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Celebrate teaching and student academic excellence, including Teacher of the Year, Campus Academic Celebrations, and senior scholarships.
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Paid for transportation of elementary students to attend Camp Champions, including fees for our students experiencing homelessness.
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None of this would be possible without our Foundation volunteers!
WAYS to volunteer with the Foundation:
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Review & evaluate Educator GRANT applications
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Help stock or staff the TEACHER CLOSET
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Plan & help host EVENTS including:
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State of the District (October)
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Handbags & Bingo (February)
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Golf Tournament (April)
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HOW to start volunteering:
Click on the “Volunteer Form” button below and complete the simple Friend of the Foundation form. On this form you can select the areas and/or events in which you would like to be involved.We will contact you as we get closer to the activities and/or events that align with your selected preferences!
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU APPLY - PLEASE READ!
Please know that the Foundation is a funding source of last resort. The funds raised by the Foundation are intended to ‘fill the gaps’ of funding not available through other sources, including nonprofit, local, state and federal. The Foundation requires that requests have been made to other sources before seeking assistance from the Foundation. The lack of demonstration that due diligence has been made in seeking primary sources of funding will negatively impact the consideration of an application. Primary sources include district funds, boosters, PTA’s, and state and federal grants.
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GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR 25-26 ACADEMIC YEAR
Because money should never be a reason why a student cannot experience all that Hays CISD has to offer!
100% Hays Student Grants provide student programs, clubs, activities and organizations with financial assistance to support students who otherwise can’t afford to participate.
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*100% Hays Student Grants are based on need and applications are open year-round. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a regular basis, as needed.
100% HAYS CISD STUDENT GRANTS
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION GRANTS
The Excellence in Education Grants (EEG) listed below provide resources for educators to execute their innovative ideas, programs, materials, equipment, field trips, and various other needs that enhance student learning. All Hays CISD students are impacted by the grants in some capacity.​​​
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Apply for the Excellence in Education Grant listed below that can best help YOU achieve your vision and goals!
Innovative Teaching Grants
If there’s a new tool that would enhance your teaching skills and supplement your classroom learning, we invite you to apply for the Innovative Teaching Grant.
This grant is focused on the individual educator and their classroom. Funding is available up to $500.
* Depending on the request, restrictions may apply. Please carefully review the FAQ's before applying.
Collaborative Grants
Collaborative grants are designed to provide resources for innovations that impact an HCISD program, entire campuses, an academic department or a grade level and that have the potential to significantly impact student achievement.
This grant is focused on an HCISD program, an entire campus, an academic department or a grade level. Funding is available up to $5,000.
* Depending on the request, restrictions may apply. Please carefully review the FAQ's before applying.
Hays CISD receives funds to support professional development opportunities. However, those funds can be limited in amounts and in scope. That is why the HEF will be supporting Enriched Professional Development opportunities for teachers, principals, and administrators to enhance the knowledge and skills of all staff in HCISD!
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This grant is focused on individual or groups of teachers, principals, and administrators. Funding is available up to $5,000.
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* Depending on the request, restrictions may apply. Please carefully review the FAQ's before applying.
Enriched Professional Development
BIG AND BOLD GRANTS
Educational needs go beyond grants for classrooms and professional development. Big & Bold ideas can range from funding equipment for programs to assisting with program expansions, such as robotics!
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​If you have a Big & Bold idea that will foster creative teaching and learning approaches that promote educational excellence in Hays CISD, then we invite you to think BIG AND BOLD and apply!
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This grant is focused on individual or group projects or initiatives that will demonstrate meaningful impacts on learning across the District. Applications are open to Principals, Teachers, Directors, Coaches, and HCISD Departments.
While funding requests associated with Big & Bold applications are not capped, grant amounts are awarded at the discretion of the HEF Board and limited by the amount of funds available to the Foundation.
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*Grant applications involving C&I or technology must go through the EEG review process outlined in the EEG Grants FAQ linked below.
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* Depending on the request, restrictions may apply. Please carefully review the FAQ's before applying.
Other Grant Opportunities
Seeking Grant opportunities hosted by entities not associated with HaysCISD? Please contact Stephanie Norris, Director of Federal Programs and Grants Management, at Stephanie.Norris@hayscisd.net or 512.268.2141 ext. 45156