Texas Education Agency

The mission of the Texas Education Agency is to provide leadership, guidance and resources to help schools meet the educational needs of all students. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) comprises the commissioner of education and agency staff. The TEA and the State Board of Education (SBOE) guide and monitor activities and programs related to public education in Texas. The SBOE consists of 15 elected members representing different regions of the state. One member is appointed chair by the governor. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) oversees all aspects of the preparation, certification and standards of conduct of public school educators. There are 11 members on the board who are appointed by the governor, and three non-voting members. TEA provides staff support to the SBEC board.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is dedicated to meeting the goals of the state’s higher education plan, Closing the Gaps by 2015. If Texas achieves these goals, the state’s economy will experience estimated increases of $489 billion in total spending, $194 billion in gross state product, and $122 billion in personal income as well as the creation of over 1,023,000 new jobs by the year 2030. The state’s return on its investment in higher education is estimated at $8.08 for every $1 invested.* Policymakers, education leaders, the business community, students and families – in fact, all Texans - have a vested interest in meeting the goals of Closing the Gaps to help ensure a prosperous future for our great state.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Our work begins with Bill and Melinda Gates’ belief that all lives have equal value. We think all people deserve the chance to have healthy, productive lives. Our approach to giving is driven by the foundation’s guiding principles. 

Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett set our overarching grantmaking priorities—such as improving health and reducing extreme poverty in the developing world and improving high school education in the United States. They establish high-level goals for our grantmaking programs. Then our three program teams devise a strategy for meeting these goals.

We have been developing a grantmaking process that helps us decide how to spend our time, effort, and money so we can accomplish that goal for as many people as possible. This process helps us choose the issues we will work on and the groups to which we will make grants.

Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

Michael and Susan Dell established the foundation in 1999. The gift was inspired by their passion for supporting children’s causes as a way to make an even greater difference in a measurable way, particularly for those children living in urban poverty. Based in Austin, TX, the foundation initially focused on improving education and children’s health in Central Texas; but our mission soon expanded to reach children globally. To date, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has committed more than $650 million to assist nonprofit organizations working in major urban communities in the United States, South Africa and India. Our vision is to focus on opportunities with the greatest potential to directly and measurably transform the lives of children living in urban poverty.

Communities Foundation of Texas

Communities Foundation of Texas has been a partner with donors for raising the quality of life in our community for more than 50 years. CFT provides effective ways to make meaningful charitable contributions while realizing significant tax advantages. When a donor makes a gift to CFT, a charitable deduction can be claimed. We handle the investment of the gift, listen to the donor's priorities and manage its distribution in charitable grants to worthwhile causes. The value of a gift can be granted out completely in a short period of time or it can be nurtured to provide a long legacy of charitable support.

National Instruments

(NI) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation – a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government, and academia approach measurement and automation. NI is committed to enhancing engineering and science education worldwide by providing educators and students with powerful graphical system design software and modular hardware to connect the curriculum with the real world. Professors and students benefit from industry-leading, professional tools such as NI LabVIEW graphical development software, which helps students visualize and implement engineering concepts. The integration of LabVIEW in the classroom creates an effective, dynamic learning environment – from primary schools to research laboratories in universities. NI also offers resources to universities to support laboratories, research, and student programs and competitions.  

Greater Texas Foundation

Located in Bryan, Texas and functioning as a charitable foundation since 2001, the purpose of Greater Texas Foundation is to improve education in the State of Texas through public-private partnerships and by providing funding to educational institutions. In addition to the creation of multiple scholarship endowments, the foundation currently supports excellence in education through initiatives that enhance math and science education at all levels; increase access to higher education; provide skill enhancement and induction-program opportunities for teachers; and/or encourage parental and community involvement in  education.  In 2007, Greater Texas Foundation invested $864,000 in THSP and CFT to fund establishment of the Northwest Early College High School  in partnership with Canutillo ISD and El Paso Community College.

The Meadows Foundation

The Meadows Foundation exists to assist people and institutions of Texas improve the quality and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations. The Meadows Foundation strives to exemplify the principles of its founder in addressing basic human needs by working toward the elimination of ignorance, hopelessness and suffering, protecting the environment, providing cultural enrichment, encouraging excellence and promoting understanding and cooperation among people.