Twenty-nine members of the Tomball community announced in late March the formation of the Tomball Education Foundation, a nonprofit serving Tomball ISD by contributing private dollars to the district's programs.

According to a statement from the foundation, the new organization seeks to provide funds for educational programs and activities within TISD otherwise not funded by the district's operating budget. Individuals and business owners can invest in TISD via private funds contributed to the foundation.

"The Education Foundation board of directors is dedicated to our community and educational excellence," Foundation President Julie Ewers said in a statement. "I am proud to serve with them to support and enhance the tools available to the district."

Fundraising efforts by the foundation will provide an avenue for business and community members to invest in and enhance the education process, according to the statement. The foundation's focus is assuring a quality education by involving the community, and celebrating excellence and successful education programs, members said.

Ewers said the need for supplemental funding in TISD and the increasing number of education foundations across the state sparked the idea for the Tomball Education Foundation. The Magnolia Education Foundation supports the Magnolia ISD community.

"We are very excited that community members have organized to help attract private funds to benefit our schools," Ewers said.

Board members include Julie Ewers, Susan Cline, Bruce Hillegeist, Kagan Bosworth, Kylene Isenberg, Jeffrey Klein, Kathy Handler, Martha Salazar-Zamora, Amanda Bass, Michelle Breaux, Janet Cannon, Josh Chambers, Bob Fontenot, David Frey, Kristi Goodman, Frank Hicks, Nancy Holverson, Keith Jennings, Tammy Kelley, Kristy McCoy, Nefertari Mundy, Kit Pfeiffer, Landon Reed, Joyce Stevens, Tamieka Tavares, Laura Van Dyck, Cindy Vincik, Jerrel Wade and Adina Walker.

Learn more about the foundation here or on Facebook.