Mission
The Tyler Independent School District Foundation provides resources to inspire learning, enrich teaching and enhance opportunities for District students through the support of exemplary programs.

Purpose
The Tyler ISD Foundation exists solely to support the teachers, students, staff, administrators and family members associated with the public school system in Tyler. The work of the Foundation is simple: seek funds and grant those funds to others. 

The Foundation, led by a Board of Directors and staff members, seeks funds through various activities such as:

• The We Believe in Tyler ISD Campaign--which solicits funds from area businesses, philanthropists, alumni, parents, faculty and staff who believe in assisting the public school system.
• The Annual Gil Hitt Memorial Golf Tournament--named for a respected former school board member, the golf tournament is the largest  single-day fundraising event of the Foundation.
• Grant writing and appeals to area organizations and foundations—in support of the teachers, staff and others within Tyler ISD.

The Foundation grants these collected donations to the following:

• Competitive grants to teachers, teams of teachers, campuses or the district to help the Foundation meet its mission; the district to meet objectives; the campus to meet its campus plan; and the student to reach optimal learning.

• A Night of Shining Stars - an academic recognition event that honors the top twenty graduates and National Merit Scholars of both Tyler high schools and the teachers that most influenced their academic journey

• The Teacher of the Year Program—allows each campus to select a Teacher of the Year based on instructional merit; Banquet honors secondary and elementary teachers of the year for the district as well as nominees from each campus.

• Convocation—district-wide gathering at the beginning of the school year to learn of the districts goals and expectations of the year; provides momentum for the beginning of the school year.

• Support of worthy programs in the district

History 
Incorporated in December 1990, the Tyler ISD Foundation responds to the local need for increased community involvement in and support for public education.
The Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. It works closely with the schools but is an independent entity. It operates as a neutral group, serving as a catalyst for uniting the schools, businesses and the community of Tyler.
Sources of funding available to the Foundation include general donations and fundraising events. The Foundation garners support from a broad spectrum of the community, including parents, Tyler ISD personnel, businesses and professionals, corporate and civic sectors.

No tax dollars are used in fulfilling the mission of the Foundation.