FISD Education Foundation Receives TEFN Outstanding Achievement Award Honorable Recognition

The Friendswood ISD Education Foundation (FEF) was selected as a Honorable Recognition recipient of the 2021 Texas Education Foundation Network (TEFN) Outstanding Achievement Awards. The honor is awarded to the Foundation for the #WeAreMighty campaign.

The TEFN Outstanding Achievement Awards were created to recognize excellence and exceptional performance of Texas school foundations that are impactful, innovative, outcome-driven and make a difference for their schools and districts.

“We are excited to recognize the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation and their #WeAreMighty campaign,” Texas Pioneer Foundation Program Director Michelle Coburn said. “This movement represents the type of excellence and innovation that positively impacts the district and community as a result of the Foundation’s efforts.”

FEF launched the #WeAreMighty movement in April of 2020 as a way to not only support FISD staff, but also to rally the community together in the midst of the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. From there, #WeAreMighty truly became an anthem of hope across the city.

“At every turn where we expected to see significant decreases this year there was tremendous growth instead,” FEF Executive Director Ashley Adair said.

Highlights included a Health Hero Card Drive, Pop By Pep Rally for all FISD staff, #WeAreMighty Marathon fundraising campaign, record-breaking events, new giveback campaigns and a $50,000 grant from the UTMB President’s Cabinet for a simulated ambulance.

Each of these successes point back to the #WeAreMighty anthem and remind us that while we may be small, together we are mighty.

Adair said that in a year when it would be understandable to pull back, the Foundation’s directors have sought innovative and revolutionary solutions that are paying off in big ways for students and teachers across Friendswood ISD.

With the Honorable Recognition, the Foundation received a $1,000 grant and was recognized during the TEFN live virtual awards ceremony held on May 13.

In 2020, the Foundation received one of three TEFN Outstanding Achievement Awards for FEF’s Mustang Association Student Grant Committee Meetings. This year, FEF is joined by seven Honorable Recognition recipients and 5 Finalists across the state of Texas.

“It is so rewarding to see the collective efforts of so many recognized by TEFN,” Adair said. “We look forward to pursuing many more award-winning projects with FISD, FEF and the Friendswood community.”