The Klein ISD Education Foundation awarded $62,057 in grants to KISD educators for improvements such as added classroom equipment and supplies to launch new programs, according to a series of December district news releases.

The big picture

The individual grants—awarded for the 2025-26 school year—ranged from $983-$23,556, according to KISD’s news releases. Two of the largest grants given were for multi-campus projects: a donation-fueled closet providing clothing and supplies for KISD students and families in need; and a hands-on program to teach students engineering and construction using Lego bricks.

The multi-campus projects received:

• $14,856 for the “Klein Kloset”
• $11,996 for the “Lego-ndary STEM Builders in the Science Classroom” initiative

“The Klein Kloset is a beautiful example of how our community comes together to support the whole student, meeting basic needs so that every child can thrive academically and emotionally,” Director of the KISD Education Foundation Christy Spisak said via a Dec. 10 news release. “We are proud to fund initiatives like this that remove barriers and empower students to succeed both in and out of the classroom.”

The impact

The KISD Education Foundation offers grants designed to cultivate creative approaches to academics, according to the organization’s website. The grants are offered for teachers and groups of teachers and applications open in the fall and spring.

According to the release, the grants will be used for programs and supplies, including:

• $23,556 to expand The Learning Grove outdoor classroom facilities at Northampton Elementary
• $7,500 for a movement and learning studio featuring balance beams, stepping stones, swivel movement chairs and more at Schultz Elementary
• $7,450 for a program designed to help students with autism, ADHD or challenges developing fine motor skills learn in innovative ways at Kaiser Elementary
• $4,950 to expand the mariachi program at Klein Forest High School
• $4,522 to fund a hands-on virtual reality game design program at Klein Cain High School
• $1,100 to purchase headsets with built-in microphones to help third-graders at Mittelstadt Elementary to read more confidently
• $983 to launch the “Book Beads” learning program at Bernshausen Elementary to encourage students to read

Get involved

Founded in the early 2000s, the KISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit that has awarded about $2.7 million total in grants to KISD employees, according to the organization’s website. The foundation accepts donations and event sponsorships for the benefit of KISD schools and offers volunteer opportunities.

To learn more about getting involved with the foundation, click here.