Many schools in the Houston area struggle to provide access to quality educational resources. A recent analysis conducted by the Kinder Institute shows that nearly every school district in Harris County is underfunded. This lack of resources causes a decline in students' academic progress.

Located in Southeast Harris County, Pasadena ISD is a Title 1 school district that serves over 48,000 students with 8,000 educators and employees across 67 public schools. According to data from the district, nearly 80% of its students are considered economically disadvantaged and qualify for free or reduced-price lunches and other public assistance. To support these students’ success, the nonprofit Pasadena ISD Education Foundation (PISDEF) collaborates with the district to secure funding for innovative teaching methods and resources.

“The mission of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation is to enhance the quality of educational services to promote an exemplary educational system,” said PISDEF Executive Director Emily Ontiveros. “The learning projects that we help fund would not be possible with the regular school budget.”

The Kinder Morgan Foundation (KMF) is focused on benefiting programs that promote the academic and artistic interests of children in grades K-12 in areas where Kinder Morgan operates. Knowing this, Vice President of Gulf Region Terminals Brad Miller identified the PISDEF as a good organization for the KMF to consider supporting, partly due to the Terminals business segment’s extensive operations footprint in the Pasadena area.

"We are always seeking opportunities that will make a meaningful impact on our local community as well as benefit our employees that live in the area,” Miller said. “The Pasadena ISD Education Foundation seemed like the right fit to accomplish both of those goals.”

The PISDEF has now been a recipient of a KMF grant for four consecutive years, receiving $50,000 each year. This year’s donation will be used to purchase computers for hands-on coding activities, audio equipment and robotics tools for several schools, as well as 3D printers and mobile STEM stations. Additionally, PISD schools have started participating in Math Gals, a district-wide program designed to empower young women in STEM fields. These investments exemplify how KMF’s grant will be used to improve students’ proficiency in math and reading.

“We aim to cultivate a love for STEM in our students from an early age,” said Ontiveros. "STEM education boosts their understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts, preparing students to make informed decisions and contributions to the economy. We are dedicated to ensuring that the next generation pursues careers in STEM, which will positively impact our community."

"Investing in education has the power to change lives," Ontiveros said. "We are truly grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Kinder Morgan Foundation, which shares our commitment to promoting the academic interests of all students from different walks of life."