The Harlandale Education Foundation is an approved 501(c)(3) charitable organization with an independent Board of Directors. It was initiated in 1999 and has since raised more than $1.2 million and awarded nearly 2,000 graduates with scholarships.

HISD ranks in the lowest 1% of Texas schools because of property wealth. Ninety-six percent of the student body is Hispanic and 92% are economically disadvantage. Research highlights a number of key underlying factors behind the low number of Hispanics who attend college. Some of those factors include limited awareness of financial aid programs and lack of funding. HEF hopes to create a college-going community by offering a $500 or $1,000 scholarship to every Harlandale High, McCollum High or Frank Tejeda Academy graduate who shows proof of attendance at any college, university or technical school.

Harlandale ISD employees make contributions to the foundation during a 2-week fund drive in February of every year. An anonymous supporter of Harlandale ISD then matches the amount dollar for dollar. HEF Board Member Norma Martinez Lozano and Mike Gilpin of the Alamo Insurance Group have also begun organizing an annual gala and golf tournament to gather contributions from the local business community.

The Harlandale Education Foundation Board:

• Jim Adams, President
• Esteban Sosa, Secretary
• Al Aguilar, Member
• Joyce Coleman, Member
• Ed Kelley, Member
• Norma Martinez Lozano, Member
• Fernando Reyes, Member
• Steve Spriester, Member

The Hall of Fame Advisory Board:

• Charles Butt
• Graham Weston
• Ed Whitacre
• Bartell Zachry