About our foundation
The Athens Public Education Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports educational opportunities for students in the Athens Independent School District. Our goal is to involve the community in building a strong public school system that delivers quality education to the leaders and workers of tomorrow.The Foundation is not part of the Athens Independent School District, but the school district is the sole beneficiary of the Foundation's financial support. Using private, tax-deductible donations, we are able to fund educational programs and projects that are not affordable under the AISD's budget. This investment strengthens our schools and, by extension, our business community.
Educational Projects We Support
To identify educational projects to support, the Foundation uses a grant application process with established criteria for evaluating grant requests. In 2010, the first year we accepted grant applications, teachers from all school levels – elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school - applied for grants to enhance the teaching and learning experience in a variety of projects. The Foundation awarded grants totaling $33,500 to support those projects.As a result of our support, a Science Resource Lab exists for first and second grade students; students in intermediate and high school have access to mini-computers and Graphing calculators to enhance their mathematics skills; and middle school students experienced a hands-on, outdoor science camp designed especially to inspire their interest in science. These and other educational opportunities would not be available in the Athens Independent School District without the Foundation's grants.
Background of Athens Public Education Foundation
A group of Athens citizens formed the Foundation with a vision to enhance educational opportunities and student success in Athens Independent School District. The Foundation is a non-profit corporation, organized under Texas law in 2008. The Internal Revenue Service recognizes the Foundation as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, tax-exempt public charity. By virtue of that designation, contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible.

