On March 17, SAISD Foundation representatives set up at Central Office with a big thank you for SAISD employee donors. United Way Campus coordinators came to the drive-through event to pick up specialized prizes — T-shirts, notebooks and Bluetooth speakers — for their employees’ generous contributions. 

 
The Foundation also announced winning schools and departments who have pledged the most or had the largest percentage of employees who designated a gift to the Foundation this year. In the secondary category, Burbank High School won first place and Jefferson High School won second place. At the elementary level, Washington Elementary won first place and J.T. Brackenridge won second place. Each first-place school earned a $1,000 grant, and each second-place school earned a $500 grant. At the district level, the finance department won for the department raising the most funds and earned a free team breakfast. 

 
So far through a combination of United Way, payroll deduction, and recurring web donations, 1,388 San Antonio ISD employees have given or pledged more than $82,000 to the Foundation this school year, funding valuable teacher grants, scholarships, and student projects and supplies. 

 
“Employee gifts are extra special,” Executive Director Judy Geelhoed said. “Not only do these funds make our awarding of 400+ teacher grants possible, but they send a message to our donors that those on the front lines believe in the work we are doing and allow us to leverage significant philanthropic investments in initiatives like 3D printing, hydroponics and soil gardens, Book Buddies and other multi-campus investments.” 

 
For those employees who missed the opportunity to make a gift this year through the United Way, there is still time to make a gift! In partnership with the SAISD Payroll Department, all San Antonio ISD employees can make a monthly gift to the SAISD Foundation by filling out and submitting the SAISD Foundation Payroll Deduction form linked here. 

 
Employees who donate through this method are still eligible for these exclusive thank you gifts:  
•  Notebook (Gifts of $20+ or $5/month) 
•  T-shirt (Gifts of $100+ or $10/month) 
•  Bluetooth Speaker (Gifts of $250+ or $25/month)