20 th Anniversary Edition 2015 annual report *Fiscal Year June 2014 to May 2015

Letter from the President

Letter from the President-Elect

The previous and current Northside ISD themes – “In Northside. It’s Personal.” and “Northside Proud” – are both themes the Northside Education Foundation (NEF) supports and models. NEF takes its mission to support NISD students, faculty and staff very personal and has tremendous pride in its continued success.

Serving on the Northside Education Foundation (NEF) Board of Directors has been a fulfilling experience and I’m extremely honored to serve as president starting January 2016. I’m committed to maintaining the high-level of excellence that has been engrained in NEF’s DNA for the past 20 years.

As I reflect on my time with the NEF Board of Directors, I’m grateful for having the opportunity to work with such a phenomenal group of volunteers. I’ve enjoyed rolling up my sleeves to contribute to NEF’s thriving programs that benefit Northside.

The Foundation’s founders and past presidents must be very proud of the many ways NEF has championed education in Northside. I know I am. Here are a few examples of successes these past 20 years: • NEF has awarded more than $2 million in grants.

The District continues to grow by leaps and bounds and now has almost 105,000 students enrolled. To keep up with the increased demand for resources and to improve community engagement, the Foundation continues to align its strategic planning with the District and implements purposeful innovations and efficiencies.

Wade Cleary, President Managing Principal, Cleary Zimmermann Engineers

An example of NISD and NEF partnering to promote community involvement is the extensive Galloway research initiative completed during my term. The data spoke volumes about the community’s awareness and perceptions of NEF. The Foundation is already using the data to build activities and programs that we hope develop closer ties to the community and results in additional support for Northside. During my term, NEF achieved several successes I’m very proud of such as: • Celebrating NEF’s 20th anniversary by involving staff and students • Dewey & Associates ranked NEF in Top 25 education foundations in U.S. • NEF awarded the “Superintendent’s Award” at the NISD Partner-of-the-Year Recognition Awards Ceremony • 2014 NEF 5K is most successful to date with a 47 percent income increase from prior year • 2014 NEF gala is most successful to date with a 21 percent income increase from prior year • NEF diversified its fundraising portfolio by replacing the Fall Golf Tournament with a Sporting Clay Shooting Tournament As we conclude our 20th anniversary celebration in December 2015 and look to the future, I have complete confidence in NEF continuing to be successful in the years to come. Thank you for allowing me the honor to serve.

• In 2003, NEF’s endowment fund reached $1 million and the fund was dedicated in the name of a founding member, Bunny Jean Raba.

Cathy Naiser, President- Elect NEF Board of Directors

• Since 1996, almost 75,000 NISD employees have donated almost $2 million through the annual NEF Employee Pledge Drive. • In the 2012 Dewey & Associates study, “Stepping Up: The Top Education Foundations in the Nation”, NEF was ranked #1 in Texas and #12 in the nation. My predecessors, with the continued support of NISD, have begun several efforts to propel us into the future I am committed to leading. For example, NEF established a committee that is using research data to develop strategies and activities to engage NISD alumni, parents, students, and the business community. This work will help increase awareness of priority NISD and NEF activities, as well as strengthen and diversify advocacy and programming for the Foundation. Another example of important work in-progress includes constantly evaluating the NEF Grants Program. Last school year, NEF surveyed Northside staff and is now using the feedback to improve several program features and processes. As we use data and try new strategies to better achieve our mission, the Foundation will undergo continuous improvement planning to ensure our quality programming is enhanced and sustained year to year. The NEF Board of Directors hopes all of our donors, partners and volunteers will join us in continuing to champion education in Northside. I know that together we can make a positive impact on NISD students’ future and in our community. Cathy Naiser,

Wade Cleary,

Cleary Zimmerman Engineers

Cathy Naiser Group, Keller Williams

20 th Anniversary Celebration at a glance

Fairness Equitable, Open, Reasonable

How to become an NEF Board member:

Executive Committee

New Directors

Wade Cleary, President Cathy Naiser, President-Elect Merry Raba, Past-President Jeff Bourgeois, Secretary Vaughn Bomberger, Treasurer Tomas Larralde, VP-Administration Art Reyna, VP-Development Dave Gannon, VP-Programs Kathy Hill, VP-Communications

Carl McClenan, Joeris General Contractors Scott Parker, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

Directors and Terms Ed Rawlinson, Director Emeritus John M. Folks, Ed.D., Director Emeritus

Renews (end of) Dec. 2016 Jeff Bourgeois, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System - Westover Hills Wade Cleary, Cleary Zimmermann Engineers Leticia Estrada, Jefferson Bank Frank Humada, Jr. Wortham Insurance Risk Management Jerry Lammers, Alamo Architects Billy Laque Laque, Horace Mann Insurance Agency Tomas Larralde, Office of Senator Jose Menedez Rick McLaughlin, Mathnasium Priscilla Ann Sanchez-Hurt, Moonstruck Foundation, Inc. Maggie Seay, Cude Engineers

Retired Dec. 2015 John Casstevens, Joeris General Contractors Letha Harrelson, Security Service Federal Credit Union

Renews (end of) Dec. 2015

SFC Chris Branagan Class of ‘90 Arts Advocate/Musician/Soldier

Vaughn Bomberger, Garza Bomberger Architects Robb Decker, Walsh, Anderson, Gallegos, Green & Trevino, P.C. Matthew Foxhall, AXA Kathy Hill, KHill PR Monty Howard, Marmon Mok Architects Merry Raba, Raba Kistner Amanda Raba Gentis, ARG Photographs Art Reyna, Art Reyna & Associates

Education Advisory Committee Brian T. Woods, Ed.D. Gerald B. Lopez Principal, Ada Bohlken Principal, Kevin Kearns Principal, Tesilia Soliz

Superintendent NISD Trustee* Holmes High School** Jefferson Middle School** Myers Elementary School**

a. Contribute to Board diversity (ethnicity, sex, race, profession, high school, and college attended). b. Develop contacts with an extensive network of people interested in preserving quality public education in NISD. c. Donate time, energy, expertise, and treasure. No fees required to join. d. Volunteer on committees as a Friend of the Foundation prior to serving on the Board. e. Board members are not required to live in NISD or have children in NISD.

What is expected of NEF Board members: a. Don’t miss more than three meetings in a row. b. Serve three-year term. c. Attend six meetings annually.

*Elected by NISD Board of Trustees **Appointed annually by Superintendent

d. Serve on a minimum of one committee at all times during service. e. Grow endowment annually.

Citizenship Law Abiding, Judicious, Responsive

William L. Raba Class of ‘79 Businessman/Catalyst/Entrepreneur

Respect

Designated Funds to Beneficial Programs in 2014-15*

Courteous, Intuitive, Unbiased

*Fiscal Year June 2014 to May 2015 (41 Designated Funds) For Programs



For Programs

Alyssa Ramirez Memorial Fund $930

Joe & Bettie Ward Fund

$2,464

AXA Advisors Staff Development

$750

Joe Becker Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

AXA Advisors – E. Persyn

$1,551

Kronkosky Foundation – Precious Minds, New Connections

$181,757

Business Careers High School – Scholarships $153,015

Learning Tree Fund

$1,275

Business Careers High School & Finance Academy $500

Mark Fluitt Memorial Scholarship

$550

Catherine Young Memorial Scholarship

McAndrew/Powell Scholarship

$600

City Councilman Cris Medina Scholarship $3,000

McAndrew/Shields Scholarship

$600

City Councilman Ray Lopez Scholarship

$4,555 $9,500

Melva Matkin Esparza ES PTA

$500

City Councilman Ron Nirenberg Scholarship $2,500

Naiser Grant

$3,900

Covington’s Promise

NISD Museum

$18,702

Education Excellence Fund - Dr. John Folks $8,466

NISD Northside Leadership Academy

$274

Fernandez Family Fund

Picciuti Award

$4,000

Fred Dyas Memorial Fund for Thornton ES $2,183

PREP – Rawlinson MS

$1,200

Friends of Northside School Libraries Fund $11,853

Raba Family Fund

$947

Gordan Bade Memorial Scholarship Fund $2,170

Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union

$80

GT iGnite Fund – Gifted & Talented Parents Assn. $2,514

Solar Car Races & Middle School Science Bowl

$10,567

Humada Benevolence Fund for Students

$2,500

SPC Dane R. Balcon Memorial Scholarship

$970

Humada Scholarships

$3,000

Tim Traynor Memorial for Science

$395

Jack C. Jordan PTA Penny Drive

$25,400

Winn Murnin Scholarship for Murnin ES

$23,099

Jay Science & Engineering Academy

$1,500

Xavier Michael Cardenas Memorial Fund $1,000

$350 $1,275

Jayci’s Wreath for Heroes/Charlie Moore Memorial Fund $2,460

Total

$493,252

Dr. Mandie Alice Tibball Svatek Class of ‘93 Pediatrician/Professor/Athlete

Technical Expertise Provided to NEF

In 2015, the NEF assets, managed by Michael Clark, Aspects Wealth Management, increased from $4.12M to $4.40M

6632 Bandera Rd., Bldg. A, San Antonio, TX 78238 210-397-8599, Fax 210-706-8846 www.nisd.net/nef 501c-3 #74-2591569

Where donations come from: Investment Income 5% Employees 17% Designated Funds

Business & Community 61%

Service Personnel of Record

Other Foundations 16%

Attorney - Glen Yale, Glen Yale Law Firm

Memorials, Honoraria 1%

Auditor & Tax Preparer - Joe Hernandez, Akin Doherty Klein & Feuge

What NEF Donations Go To:

Accountants - Susie Schumann and Joy Reiner, DBO USA, LLP

Endowment Growth 25%* Grants 29%

Financial Advisor - Michael Clark, Aspect Wealth Management

Scholarships 6%

NEF FUNDRAISERS

Operations 5%

2014 $166,111 $149,780 $54,078 $27,786 $46,104 $34,067 NA

2015 $212,872 $140,533 $32,231 $17,188 $47,400 NA $19,787

$477,926

$470,011



2014

Raised

$1.3M

$1.2M

NEF Gala *Employee Pledge Drive 5K Run/Walk Six Flags & SeaWorld Tickets Spring Golf Tourney Fall Golf Tourney Sporting Clay Shooting Tourney

Assets

$4.12M

$4.40M

Total

Awarded

$1M

$1M

*4,647 NISD employee donors

Designated Funds 35% *required by policy

NEF at a Glance

2015

Banker - Letty Estrada, Jefferson Bank – Bandera Branch Julie N. Varnedoe, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, Bandera Pointe 2015 Pillars, pictured left to right: Pillar of Fairness SFC Chris Branagan, musician; Pillar of Trustworthiness Dr. Jorge Alvarez, cardiologist; Pillar of Respect Dr. Mandie Svatek, clinician and professor; Pillar of Citizenship William Raba, businessman; Pillar of Responsibility Gina Jones, military advisor; and Pillar of Caring J. Patrick Burk, businessman.

NISD Partnerships Staff- Cassandra Miranda, Norma Rabago, Krysten Vela, Patricia Moreno, Capri Berain NISD Special Revenue Department NISD Communications Department NISD Grants & Recognition Department

Trustworthiness

Caring Compassionate, Empathetic, Unselfish

Honest, Loyal, Credible

Memorial Gifts Donors choose memorial gifts attributed to the loss of a loved one.

NEF Designated Funds and Grants

Memorials include:

Reminding staff members they do not have to be teachers to apply for grants, NEF solicits funds from all types of NISD employees during its Annual Employee Pledge Drive and, in turn, opens funding options to programs such as Adult and Community Education, and NISD departments like Transportation and Maintenance.

(June 2014 – May 2015) In Memory of Linda Koehler – NISD GT Dept – Katie Mitchell, Patricia G. Westfall, Yvette M. Elmendorf, Judy Polk, Dawn L. Mangold, Terri A. Schirmer, Frank Koehler, Anastasia Hitzfelder, Doris Keeler, Colleen Flynn, Patricia Groff and many other friends and colleagues from NISD. In Memory of Hortencia Rabago – Caroline Wernli. In Memory of Ella Deanna Mauney - Jeannine Keairnes. In Memory of William Roberts – Jeannine Keairnes. In Memory of Tom Knapp - The NISD Elementary Principals. In Memory of Ray Wise – Peggy Carnahan. In Memory of Bill Duff – Donna Duff. In Memory of Milton Rhodes – Winn Murnin, Bonnie Ellison. In Memory of Charles Harms – Winn Murnin. In Memory of Winifred Wood – Janet James. In memory of Cathy Young – James Young. In Memory of Alyssa Ramirez (granddaughter of Linda Mora) – NISD Board of Trustees: Carol Harle, Robert Blount, M’Lissa Chumbley, Katie Reed, Karen Freeman, Bonnie Ellison, Bill Cassell, Elizabeth B. Burks, NISD – many colleagues within the Curriculum Instruction Department .

NEF Honorariums

Honorariums are a good way to honor a marriage, retirement, or outstanding achievement.

Honorariums include:

(June 2014 – May 2015)

J. Patrick Burk Class of ‘92 Business Leader/Philanthropist

In Honor of Bonnie Ellison – Shirley Ferguson, Dorian Martin. In Honor of NISD Board of Trustees – NISD Council of PTA. In Honor of Holmes HS/Business Career HS – Class of “2004”. In Honor of Jack C. Jordan – Robert E. Dynes Jr.

Grants are read and scored by a committee of NEF Board members, NISD staff, and volunteers. Training for how to apply for and win an NEF grant is provided in-person, one-on-one, and in webinars produced by the NISD Grants and Recognitions Department. In addition, NISD is able to use NEF’s tax-exempt status to apply for other grants that are not open to public school districts without NEF’s 501 c-3 authority. Most significant of these is the Kronkosky Grant ($181,757), which has been awarded annually the past 15 years. The grant funds Precious Minds, New Connections, a parenting education program for caregivers of children under 4 years old who will attend NISD schools. Designated or restricted donations to NEF are designed to be exclusively donordriven. In each, IRS rules limit the use of funds to the specific goals of the donor. The Foundation has 41 designated funds. Unlike other foundations that manage tax-exempt gifts, NEF does not charge an administration fee for handling restricted funds and applies interest earned to funds of $10,000 or more commensurate with the NEF endowment’s performance.

Dr. Jorge Alvarez Class of ‘92 Leader/Courageous/Caregiver

Responsibility

Thank You 2015 Generous Donors!

Diligent, Conscientious, Stalwart

2013 – 2018 Strategic Plan Priority Goals: I.

Community Engagement

Effectively promote awareness of NEF and NISD activities through participatory stakeholder communications and engagement among students, parents, alumni, and the business community to strengthen and diversify advocacy and programs.

II. Maximize Benefits to Students

Provide for innovative programs for Northside students, faculty, and staff above and beyond the provisions of the regular NISD budget by funding eligible grants competitively (increasing the percentage of grants funded each year) and developing a plan to sustain successful programs.

III. Invest Wisely

Continue to maintain fiscal stability and endowment growth aligned with the everchanging needs of the District.

IV. Donor Diversification

Provide a wide array of options for donors who choose to support education, with the goal of increasing the amount of funds as well as the number of donors.

V. Board Leadership and Development

Gina Jones Class of ‘99 Bold/Resolute/Grateful

Recruit and retain diverse Board of Directors members who represent the NISD community that can volunteer time, energy, expertise, and financial support, as well as aid in developing successors, to advance NEF’s goals.

The Northside Education Foundation’s Board of Directors and the students of Northside ISD extend their gratitude for NEF gifts to the following donors** for 2015 who are listed below. **Does not include 4,647 participants in the 2014-15 Employee Pledge Drive who gave $140,533, and 3,315 participants in the Combined School District Charitable Campaign (United Way) who gave $167,663.

Donors

June 2014 – May 2015 2M Lighting, Inc. A-1 Sports Center Inc. Accenture Federal Services Adela B. Garcia Advanced Solar & Electric LLC Akin Doherty Klein & Feuge, P.C. Alamo Architects - Jerry Lammers Alamo Colleges Alamo Colleges Foundation Inc. Allen & Allen Company Alpha Consulting Eng. Alterman Inc. Amanda Raba Gentis Amazon Services LLC AMCORP Insurance & Financial Services

American Legion Amerigroup Corporation Anastasia Hitzfelder Annie Salazar Arthur Reyna AT&T Automated Logic AXA Foundation - Matt Foxhall, Emily Persyn, Erik Davila, Gregory Treadway B Daddy’s BBQ Balcones Section of SPE Bank of America Barbara Burns Barbara K. Haines Barclays Wealth Barnes & Nobles Bartlett Cocke Bennie L. Cole BESCO Blue Cross Blue Shield

Bonnie Ellison Booz Allen Hamilton BOSC, Inc. Brad Ward Brian T. Woods, Ed.D. Brien Lawler Broadway Bank Bury + Partners Captain Planet Foundation Carin Adermann Carla Sizer Carol Harle, Ph.D. Carol Redfield Cary & Meredith Fox Cathy Naiser CDS Muery Services CEFPI - Gloria Munson CFZ Group Charles Anderson Chris Benwell Christus Santa Rosa

Cindy Pullin CITI City of San Antonio Civil Design Services, Inc. Civil Engineering Consultants Cleary Zimmerman Clementine Rodriguez Club Z Colleen Flynn Combs Consulting Group Comfort Air Comm Scope Compass Bank Concordia University Connally Middle School Cosper and Associates Inc. Costco Wholesale #689 Council of Educational Facility Planners International Cude Engineers Cute Smiles 4 Kids Cynthia Pullin Darren Van Fossen Dave Gannon David & Bre Bellows David & Jamie White - JT White Reality Dawn L. Mangold DBR Deborah L. Bussey

Debra Wyant Dennis Alexander Dennis Ann Strong Deonna K. Dean Dewinne Equipment Co., Inc. Diversey, Inc. - Ernie Gunderson Dixie Starnes Wenger Foundation Dollar General Literacy Foundation Donna Duff Dorian Martin Doris Keeler DoTopia Dr. Meredith Brooks Driggers Elementary School Driggers PTA Drive the Foundation Ed Rawlinson Eilan Hotel Resort & Spa Elemiddle In Home School Tutoring Empire Enterprise - Jenevy Sims Energy Home Pros eSped.com Eyetx Vision Centers FABCO, LLC Fast Frame - Tom Beer Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund First Investors

Firstmark Credit Union FirstSouthwest Company Raul Villasenor Fralo’s Pizza - Lori Hakspiel Frank Humada, Jr. Frank L. Koehler Fred & Dorothy Warras Freddy’s Frozen Custard Friends of the Arts at NW Vista College (FANs) - Lynne T. Dean Frost Bank Fulbright & Jaworski Gary Foerster Garza/Bomberger & Associates Genie Bath Systems Geomedia, Inc. George Block Girlstart Gold’s Gym Google Grand Canyon University Greater San Antonio Chapter #1016 Heather Covington HEB Grocery Company LP H-E-B Tournament of Champions Trustee High School Achievement / Jostens

High School Music Service Inc. Highland Homes-San Antonio Holmes HS/Business Careers HS - Class of ‘2004 Horace Mann Insurance Companies - Billy Laque, David Sosa IBC Insurance Agency, Ltd. Ideal Legal Services Inc. IES Commercial, Inc. Intech Southwest Svs. J. Alfredo & Beth Duarte J.E. Rawlinson Jack & Ann Jordan James P. McDonough, Jr. James Young Janet James Jaster-Quintanilla Javier Leal Jeannine Keairnes Jeff A. Bourgeois Jefferson Bank Jim & Donna Martin Joeris General Contractors Gary Joeris Joe’s Family Kettlecorn - Joe Garza John Addie John Casstevens John M. Folks, Ed. D.

JT White Reality Judy Polk Julie M. Bartlett Junaita Garza Justin R. Rodriguez Karen Freeman Kathy Hill Kathy Hill PR - Kathy Hill Katie Reed Keller Williams Realty - Cathy Naiser Kevin Wolff Campaign KMM-Kaiser Medical Management Kona Man Inc. Kris Odom KRONKOSKY Charitable Foundation Kuentz Elementary School L.P.A, Inc. L.Zarakas - NISD Curr. & Instru. Support Langley & Banack Las Palapas Enterprises, Inc. Laurel Ridge Treatment Center Lawrence G. Romo Lee Campbell Towell Leisure Entertainment Corp. Leroy & Rosalinda San Miguel Leticia Estrada

Liberty Mutual Life Touch Linda Bullard Linda Mora Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP - Clif Douglass Linton Elementary PTA Lockheed Martin Commercial Engine Solutions Lola Hill Lone Star Victory PAC Los Leones Ltd. Lowell Tacker Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation LPA Inc. Luby’s Lundy & Franke Engineering, Inc Lynn H. Riddick Mackin Educational Resources Maggie Seay Mander Automotive Marcy Meffert Maria Cardenas Maria Elena Cover Mark Caley Marmon Mok Mary Adams

Mary Salazar Matthew Bley McCombs Foundation McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc. Mel Hollon Melva Matkin Menchie’s Alamo Ranch MEP Engineering, Inc. Merry K. Raba Methodist Ambulatory Surgery Hospital Methodist Heathcare Ministries Michael B. Fernandez MK Marlow Co. LLC M’Lissa Chumbley Monica Fernandez Monty Howard Moonstruck Foundation Mora-Gavallos Fine Art & Antiques - Belinda Gavallos Moy Tarin Ramirez Civil Engineering Murnin Elementary School NCS Pearson Nextgen Architects NISD Council of PTAs Noonan Rittimann

Norma Rabago Northside Assoc. of TX Pro. Educ. Northside ISD - ACE Northside ISD - Driggers NuStar Foundation OCO LPA O’Connell Robertson Oscar Cardenas Pamela Sprague Pat Blattman Pat Teicher Patricia Groff Patricia Moreno Patty Brannon Pearson Peggy Carnahan Pepsi-Cola Mgnt & Admin Svcs, Inc Percy E. Luecke III, D.D.S., M.S.D. Persyn Engineering Pest Shield Pest Control Peter Piper Pizza Pfluger Associates Phi Delta Kappa Phillys Phamous Cheesesteaks Priscilla Hurt Quarter Moon Plumbing

Raba-Kistner Consultants Rad Weaver Rafael Salazar, Jr. Raising Cane’s Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union Raul & Sylvia Fernandez Raymond James REC Industries Rick McLaughlin RICOH USA, Inc. Rita Kay Driggers Rita R. Burnside Robb Decker Robert Blount Robert Covington Rock Engineering Ron & Caroline Wernli Rostam M. Kavoussi R-S-C-R, Inc. Rudy Ruiz Rudy’s Flooring RVK Architects SACU San Antonio Area Foundation San Antonio City Councilman Ray Lopez San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation

San Antonio CPA Continuing Educ. Foundation San Antonio Gastroenterology Endoscopy Ctr. San Antonio Missions San Antonio Water System Sandra Padilla Gutierrez Sara McAndrew Sarah Becher Sarah Kinard DDS, PLLC Satterfield & Pontikes School Specialty Inc. Sea World of Texas - San Antonio Security Service FCU Sharon & Gary Chumley Sheralyn Humble Shirley Ferguson Silber & Associates Silver & Black Give Back Silver Eagle Dist. Charitable Fund Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio Slider Provider Southwest Research Institute Sprint SRI International SSFCU - Letha Harrelson State Farm

State Farm - Alex Post State Representative Justin Rodriguez Stifel Nicolaus Sundt Construction, Inc. Susan Carl Susan Denton Taco Cabana Terracon Terri A. Schirmer The Charity Ball Association of SA The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region The San Antonio TX Endoscopy ASC, L.P. The Stuart Charitable Foundation The Student Savings Card Gary Marriott The USAA Foundation, Inc. The William and Harriet Gould Foundation Thomas Curiel Timothy D. Camarillo TLC Engineering for Architecture Tomas Larralde TTG Goetting

Unintech Consulting Engineers, Inc. United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County University of Phoenix USAA Valero Vaughn Bomberger VBrick Systems, Inc. Visual Innovations - Sarah Becher Wade Cleary Wallis Engineering Walsh Anderson Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Wells Fargo Foundation Whataburger - Tres Aguilas Mgnt., LLC William Blair Wilson M. Yager Winn Murnin Wortham Insurance & Risk Mgnt Yvette M. Elmendorf Yvonne Ramones

20 th Anniversary FACTS: v

NEF started as Business Careers Foundation, Inc. in 1991 and was renamed to NEF in 1995.

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Since 1995, NEF has awarded more than $2 million in grants.

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In 1999, NEF selects its first Pillars of Character and 96 NISD graduates have been recognized as Pillars since.

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In 2003, NEF raised its endowment fund to $1 million. The fund was named after Bunny Jean Raba, NEF’s founder.

v

In 2004, NEF awards its first Team Grant of $10,000.

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In the 2012 Dewey & Associates study,“Stepping Up: The Top Education Foundations in the Nation”, NEF was ranked #1 in Texas and #12 in the nation.