Communities In Schools of Houston Receives a Transformative $13 Million Investment from MacKenzie Scott
February 3, 2022 - Communities In Schools of Houston, the local nonprofit whose mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life, today announces it is the recipient of an unprecedented gift of $13 million. This gift is part of a larger, transformative $133.5 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to the Communities In Schools Network and National Office.
In addition to the CIS National Office, 40 affiliates of the 110 organizations in the nationwide CIS Network, also were named as direct recipients of the MacKenzie Scott donation. Within Texas, 13 of the state’s 27 CIS affiliates, including CIS of Houston, were tagged as part of the gift, totaling $51.2 million in funding.
In a time when the global pandemic has created unparalleled challenges for students and families, including experiences of social isolation, economic crisis, stress, and trauma, this investment will help CIS of Houston to carry out its mission to build sustainable systems of support for the students and families who otherwise might be left behind. Scott’s significant gift serves as tremendous fuel for CIS’s evidence-based model of integrated student supports and community impact. However, it does not change the reality of the continued work ahead, and the public and private partnership that must remain true.
“This gift is a meaningful vote of confidence in our organization, our partners, our donors, and most importantly our students,” said Lisa Descant, CEO for CIS of Houston. “We are now in a place to imagine even more exciting and impactful ways to empower our students by connecting them with resources and role models which reinforce the deeply-held belief we have for each of them to live out their boldest dreams.”
This donation followed Scott’s rigorous research into CIS of Houston’s longstanding and proven track record. For 43 years, CIS of Houston has demonstrated measurable success in student outcomes. In the 2020-2021 school year, CIS of Houston served some 255,000 students in the Houston area. An impressive 99 percent of students enrolled in CIS of Houston’s programs remained in school, with 95 percent of kindergarten-11th grade students being promoted to the next grade, and 98 percent of seniors graduating.
CIS of Houston is currently at work in 166 campuses across Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Lone Star College, Southwest Schools, and Texas Connections Academy-Houston.
CIS of Houston is completing a three-year strategic plan and currently is engaged in developing a new five-year plan. The timing of this gift allows CIS of Houston to consider new, purposeful ideas and planning options to meet their new strategic goals.
CIS believes that transformative relationships are key to unlocking a student's potential. Our campus-based staff works inside schools in partnership with teachers and family members to help address the non-academic needs of students. CIS coordinates with schools and local service providers to meet the needs of students and families, as well as provides critical resources, like food, housing, healthcare, counseling, access to remote technology, and more, so that students (and educators) can focus on academics. By identifying the points of challenge for students in their personal lives, CIS staff help to empower students to move beyond the barriers they face in the school building and in the community.
“Today is an important day for students in need of additional supports to overcome barriers and build a brighter future,” said Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of Communities In Schools National. “CIS of Houston serves such a large and diverse community and today’s unrestricted gift recognizes the notable successes they already have achieved and offers the catalyst for them to continue their mission and move their work forward in bold new ways.”
###
About Communities In Schools of Houston
Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) is an organization that empowers all students to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside more than 165 schools across Houston, from crisis intervention, trauma and mental health counseling to providing basic necessities and other resources to families who may be struggling, CIS helps educators surround students with a community of support. CIS of Houston Student Support Specialists have been called to help more than 250,000 students at campuses across the greater Houston area. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building an equitable path to education for future generations. https://cishouston.org/.