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Pearland ISD Education Foundation
About Us
Founded over 10 years ago, the Pearland ISD Education Foundation has provided over $1M in funding to support and inspire innovative educational opportunities that foster academic excellence, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Who We Are
We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization comprised of approximately 30 passionate community leaders, parents, educators, and business partners who believe in the power of education. Our Foundation serves as a bridge between the community and the schools, working collaboratively to provide resources that enrich the educational environment in Pearland ISD.
What We Do
The foundation provides funding for educational programs and activities that either have not been funded or have been underfunded by the normal operating budget. These funding opportunities include:
Innovative Grants: We fund innovative classroom projects and programs that engage students and enhance learning outcomes. Our grants empower teachers to implement creative teaching strategies that go beyond the standard curriculum.
Mini-Grants: Funded by our generous community supporters, mini-grants provide essential resources to campus staff, directly benefiting our schools and enhancing the educational experience for students.
Our Goals
The foundation will achieve its mission by directing resources toward the following goals:
- Encourage all students to work to their highest potential
- Support staff for innovative efforts
- Recognize staff for exemplary teaching
- Build community awareness for the Pearland ISD Education Foundation
- Inspire parents and the community to participate with the school district in enriching education
To learn more about us, visit foundation.pearlandisd.org
Getting Started
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your Application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact Kimberly Barfield, Director, Education Foundation.
Mini Grants - "Give A Grant" Campaign
Give a Grant Program Update
The Pearland ISD Education Foundation is currently evaluating the Give a Grant program to ensure we are providing the best possible experience for educators, donors, and our community.
To allow time for this review, the Give a Grant campaign will be paused for the 26/27 school year. During this time, we will be assessing program timing, technology platforms, and opportunities to increase visibility and support for classroom projects.
We believe strongly in the value of Give a Grant and are committed to building a program that best serves our schools and community. We look forward to sharing future updates and bringing back an even stronger Give a Grant experience.
Thank you for your continued investment in Pearland ISD teachers and students.
Innovative Teaching Grants
Since 2014, the Pearland ISD Education Foundation has funded more than 600 educational projects, totaling over $1M, through the Innovative Teaching Grants Program. Reviewed and awarded through an annual grant application cycle, these innovative grant projects facilitate student achievement and skill development, recognize and encourage staff excellence and expand community involvement from individuals, businesses, and civic organizations. To celebrate grant awards and recognize winners, Foundation Board of Directors and district administrators, visit classrooms and present teachers with an oversized check during “Surprize Patrol.”
Purpose
To provide funding for select projects and/or programs that are innovative and stimulate students’ learning and creativity by enhancing the existing curriculum. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for classroom initiatives, and up to $7,500 for campus-wide and district-wide programs.
Goals
- Support projects or programs that contribute to Pearland ISD's academic goals.
- Recognize and reward educators for innovative and creative academic approaches.
- Allocate funding to encourage and facilitate the enhancement of supplementary academic methods that extend beyond the traditional classroom approach, positively impacting learning.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Any individual or team of persons employed by Pearland ISD and involved in:- instruction of students.
- providing related support services benefiting students.
Eligible Proposals
- Projects to be implemented during the 2026-27 school year
- Projects that provide a positive educational experience for students
- SMART projects:
- Are there Specific goals?
- Are the benefits of the project Measurable?
- Are the goals Attainable (is this project feasible)?
- Is the project Relevant to current district objectives?
- Is the project Time-bound?
- Is this a new project?
Selection Process
- All applications require Principal/Supervisor approval and are pre-screened by appropriate curriculum departments to ensure projects are feasible and not a duplication.
- The Pearland ISD Education Foundation Grant Review Committee reviews submitted applications.
- The Grant Review Committee presents recommendations to the Foundation Board of Directors.
- The Foundation Board of Directors votes to approve recommended grant awards.
How much is awarded per grant?
- Up to $5,000 for project proposals that are considered individual, classroom, team-based, or district-level.
- Up to $7,500 for project proposals that are school-wide with demonstrated impact on every campus student.
How many grants are awarded?
This will be dependent on the amount of funds available to the Education Foundation Board of Directors.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Equipment or materials typically acquired through district, state, or federal funding
- Technology, field trips, equipment, materials, and staff development activities that are not requested as part of a well-planned project
- Travel costs related to professional development (lodging, mileage, or per diem)
- Monetary incentives or “incentive” field trips
- Salaries (including substitute pay and speaker fees)
- Don’t be afraid to try. You might be surprised!
- The grant application shouldn’t take more than a few hours to complete.
- Before you begin, carefully read the Pearland ISD Education Foundation Instructional Guide.
- Start early. Do not wait until the last minute.
- Reread and reread. Have someone unfamiliar with your project review the application for clarity.
- Write as if you have already been funded for the grant and are explaining what you will be doing. (Simple future tense: We will implement…)
- Make your project upbeat, positive, and interesting.
- Include a good balance of facts and data with the element of human interest.
- Information presented in the grant application should be clear and concise.
- Providing supporting documents is not required, but for clarification purposes, it may be warranted.
- Research what the actual cost will be for each budget item.
- Project should demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- Project should have a positive impact on students and enhance the educational experience.
- Application submitted after the due date.
- The grant writer presents good ideas, but the application is poorly written.
- Project is not related to district curriculum objectives.
- Application is missing required information.
- Need has not been adequately identified.
- Budget is vague, inconsistent, or incomplete.
- Excite the reviewers.
- They are easy to read and understand.
- Clearly stated objectives and expected outcomes/impacts.
- Have specific objectives, methods, work plan, etc.
- Have well-communicated importance of project.
- Contain a detailed project description.
- Include a discussion of expected outcomes.
Grants Schedule 2025-26
2025-26 Mini Grant Application Calendar
"Give a Grant" Campaign
| August 4 | Mini Grant Application Window Opens |
| September 5 | Mini Grant Application Window Closes |
| September 8 - 9 | Administrator Approve – Send to C&I |
| September 9-12 | C&I Review/Approve |
| September 22 – November 7 | “Give a Grant” Campaign |
| December | "Give a Grant" Recipients Notified & Awarded |
Innovative Teaching Grants
Academic Year 2026-2027
| November 20 | Innovative Teaching Grants Application Window Opens |
| December 8 | New RQ Platform Grant Writing Workshop |
| January 7 | New RQ Platform Grant Writing Workshop |
| January 20 | Innovative Grant Application Window Closes |
| Spring 2026 | Surprize Patrol |
| July 2026 | Grant Funds Available to Spend for 2026-27 Academic Year |
Contact Us
Pearland ISD Education FoundationKimberly Barfield
Education Foundation Director
Phone: 281 997 4987
Email: Barfieldk@pearlandisd.org
