Greater Houston Community Foundation awards $500,000 to SBEF Harvey Relief Fund

SBISD families have a million reasons to be thankful

The Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) has awarded $500,000 to the Spring Branch Education Foundation Harvey Relief Fund. The grant was announced this week. The gift brings the SBEF Harvey Relief Fund to more than $1 million, according to SBEF Executive Director Cece Thompson.

On November 15, the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, administered by GHCF, announced the second round of grants totaling $28.9 million to 90 nonprofit organizations to provide services and support to flood victims. SBEF was one of three education-related relief funds to receive a grant.

Thompson said, “As far as we know, the SBEF Harvey Relief Fund is the only one that specifically helps families in Spring Branch ISD. Our gifts help families fill gaps not met by other local and federal efforts. Since the Fund is managed by SBEF staff, there are no administrative costs. Every dollar goes directly to SBISD student and staff families who were displaced by Harvey.”

SBEF continues to distribute Target and Walmart gift cards to help families meet their most pressing needs, whether it’s food, clothing or supplies. The Foundation has awarded grants of $50,000 to Community In Schools – Houston (CIS), which identifies specific needs. CIS provides vouchers to families to assist with rent, utilities and other necessities.

SBISD officials estimate there are as many as 1,000 student and staff families displaced by Harvey. Others may be identified. The district uses the Student Residency Questionnaire (SRQ) to make this assessment for students. Generally completed at the time of enrollment, the SRQ can be updated throughout the school year as living situations change. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, living situations may reflect substandard living conditions (no electricity, for example); or living in a shelter, with friends or relatives, in a hotel/motel, transitional housing or unsheltered locations such as a car or tent.

SBEF’s mission is to support students and educators to enhance education and prepare students for a successful future. The SBEF Harvey Relief Fund helps staff and students be prepared for each school day.

Community members who wish to donate to the SBEF Harvey Relief Fund may visit the SBEF Harvey Relief Fund site.

About Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (HHRF) was established to provide support and relief to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in the Harris County and Houston area (which may include City residents in Fort Bend of Montgomery County). The fund was established by Mayor Turner and Harris County Judge Emmett and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. This HHRF is one of many critical philanthropic efforts across Houston and Texas that is supporting those whose lives have forever been impacted by this disaster. Because of the immense need in an around Houston, this fund is dedicated to filling the gaps that are not currently being met by other local and federal efforts on an immediate and longer-term basis.

About Spring Branch Education Foundation:
Spring Branch Education Foundation is committed to supporting SBISD students and educators. It partners with the district and community to fund programs that enhance education and ̅students for the future. In 2016, Caruthers Institute ranked SBEF 42nd in the nation among 188 K-12 education foundations and in the top 10 of its division of foundations with $1 million to $1,999,999 in revenues. Since 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $11 million to the district. SBEF is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax deductible.