From April 1 to May 16, community members across the district are encouraged to invest in Plano ISD students, teachers and community by donating to the spring community giving campaign. The Education Foundation invites all residents to contribute, regardless of whether they have children in the district.
Funding key programs
For over 30 years, the Plano ISD Education Foundation has been a crucial support system for the district, providing funding for programs and initiatives that enhance education beyond what tax dollars can cover. Since its establishment in 1993, the foundation has raised more than $25 million, making a lasting impact on students, teachers and families.
“We sit down with the superintendent and her cabinet to look at the budget for the year and where there may be gaps for priority programming and initiatives,” Senior Executive Director Brittnea Ussery said. “We can help fill those gaps. For instance, this year we're funding around 25 different programs for the district.”
The Plano ISD Education Foundation ensures that donated funds directly benefit students and educators. Some of the programs the foundation supports include:
- Grants to Educators: Provides $150,000 annually to help teachers bring innovative classroom ideas to life
- Workforce Development: Supports career and technical education by funding certifications and dual-enrollment tuition, helping students prepare for life after high school
- Teacher Recruitment & Retention: Focuses on recognizing and supporting educators to ensure they feel valued in their roles.
- Wraparound Services: Funds essential resources at the district’s Welcome and Enrollment Center, assisting families with food and clothing, immunizations and enrollment support.
“We’re able to evolve quicker for those needs, which are always changing,” Ussery said. “Our community doesn't look the same as it did 10 or 15 years ago. The needs are different, and we're able to be flexible in responding quickly, reaching out to our corporate partners or individual partners to help us fill those needs in real time.”
Strengthening Plano’s future
The foundation plays a vital role in maintaining Plano ISD’s reputation as a top-tier school district, which in turn strengthens the broader community. By addressing immediate needs and investing in long-term student success, the foundation helps ensure that Plano remains one of the best places to live and work.
“The local school system is the heartbeat of everything,” Ussery said. “When you have strong schools that are well supported, you have a strong and thriving community. Plano is consistently considered one of the best places to live, and I feel like the school district is a huge piece of that.”
Get involved
Donate to the spring community campaign here: pisd.edu/invest.
To support the Plano ISD Education Foundation year round, visit www.pisd.edu/foundation to learn more about donation opportunities and upcoming initiatives.
In addition to financial contributions, the initiative emphasizes the importance of volunteering. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Plano ISD, go here. The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
