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About

Columbus Education Foundation

Improving Lives through Educational Opportunities

The Columbus Education Foundation was founded to enrich the educational opportunities of CISD students through scholarships to graduates and classroom grants to teachers. Classroom grants are dedicated to special projects that enhance the classroom learning experiences at Columbus Elementary School, Columbus Junior High School, and Columbus High School.

The Columbus Education Foundation, Inc., in Columbus, Texas, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in November 2021. The CEF Board focuses on a two-fold mission:

  • Create trade/tech and college scholarships for CISD students
  • Fund classroom grants for special projects to enrich the classroom learning experience.

Our donors consist of corporations, foundations, small businesses, community leaders, private individuals, and other civic organizations dedicated to supporting the students of Columbus ISD.

Phillip Garcia

President, Columbus Education Foundation

From Our President

Good news travels fast—and in Columbus, it starts with our community. Thanks to your generosity, the Columbus Education Foundation (CEF) is making a real difference in the lives of our students. Together, we’re opening doors through scholarships for college and trade school, while also funding classroom grants that bring special projects to life in CISD classrooms from elementary through high school.

Maybe you’ve supported us with a donation, given in memory of a loved one, bid on a cake at one of our fundraisers, or even cheered on a rubber duck floating down the Colorado River. However you’ve joined in, please know this: every act of support adds up to more opportunity for our students.

As president of CEF, I’m proud of how far we’ve come—and excited about where we’re going. Scholarships can be life-changing, and even the smallest contributions come together to create big opportunities. At the same time, our classroom grants ensure that teachers can dream bigger and bring new ideas to their students—without being limited by stretched budgets.

Our mission is simple but powerful: invest in students, encourage them to dream about their futures, and give them the tools to succeed—whether that path is through college, trade school, or technical training.

On behalf of our board and our students, thank you for believing in this mission and for continuing to stand with us. Together, we are shaping brighter futures for every Columbus ISD graduate.

Board Of Directors

The Columbus Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF), located in Columbus, Texas, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded in November 2021. CEF has no paid employees; all work is performed by volunteers dedicated to creating more educational opportunities for CISD students.

The Board consists of nine directors and a non-voting Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from CISD, including the Superintendent, a member of the School Board, and a CISD teacher.

We are operationally and financially independent of Columbus ISD.

Executive Team
  • Phillip Garcia, President
  • Currie Luedecke, Vice President
  • Rachel Post, Recording Secretary
  • Rebecca Edmiston, Treasurer
  • Gina Carter, Corresponding Secretary
Members at Large
  • Shannan Gerik
  • Carrie McRee
  • Andrew Nunmaker
  • Heather Thomas
Advisory Board
  • Patsy Hodge, Immediate Past President
  • James Connor, Superintendent, CISD Representative
  • Amy Venghaus, CISD Teacher Representative
  • Carla Wiggs, CISD School Board Representative
  • Steven Guidroz
  • Janet Hollmann
  • Sharon Johnson
  • Julie Koch
"All of our work in creating scholarships is done by volunteers, which keeps every dollar going to recipients, bypassing any operating expenses."
Patsy Hodge
CEF, Past President

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Last Updated: September 16, 2026

The Columbus Education Foundation (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our donors, grant applicants, volunteers, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at www.columbuseducationfoundation.org (the “Site”).

  1. Information We Collect

We collect information that identifies, relates to, or describes you (“Personal Information”) in the following ways:

Information You Provide Directly:
  • Donations: Name, billing address, email address, phone number, and payment information when you donate. (Payment details are handled securely by our third-party payment processors).
  • Scholarships and Grants: Student names, school district affiliation, academic records, contact details, and application materials submitted by students, educators, or parents.
  • Inquiries and Mailing Lists: Name and contact details when you sign up for newsletters, volunteer opportunities, or contact us.
Information Collected Automatically:
  • When you access our Site, our web servers and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) may collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and pages visited via cookies and tracking technologies.

  1. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to advance our educational mission, including to:

  • Process donations and issue tax receipts.
  • Administer teacher grants, student scholarships, and educational programs.
  • Send organization updates, event invitations, and fundraising appeals (you may opt out at any time).
  • Respond to inquiries and provide supporter service.
  • Maintain and improve the security, functionality, and performance of our Site.

  1. Donor Privacy Commitment

The Columbus Education Foundation, Inc. deeply values the trust of its donors. We will not sell, share, trade, or rent our donors’ personal information or mailing lists with any third party for commercial purposes.

  1. Children’s and Student Privacy (COPPA / FERPA)

Our Site and programs are designed to support local public education. 

We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under the age of 13 without verified parental or legal guardian consent. 

Student scholarship application materials involving minors must be submitted by or with the explicit consent of a parent, legal guardian, or authorized school administrator.

Any educational records received are held in confidence in accordance with applicable student privacy laws.

  1. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell your data. We may disclose personal information only in the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers: To vendor partners who assist with website hosting, payment processing, email delivery, and database administration.
  • Legal Requirements: If required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority, or to defend the legal rights and safety of the Foundation, its community, or others.

  1. Data Security

In compliance with Texas law, we maintain reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. However, no online transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.

  1. Your Choices and Opt-Out

  • Email Communications: You can unsubscribe from marketing or promotional emails at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email or contacting us directly.
  • Cookies: Most web browsers allow you to modify cookie settings or block cookies entirely through browser preferences.

  1. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to external websites, including school district portals or community partners. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies when leaving our Site.

  1. Contact Us

If you have questions, comments, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:

Columbus Education Foundation

PO Box 203
Columbus, TX 78934

Email: info@columbuseducationfoundation.org

Phone: 979-733-2122

Website: www.columbuseducationfoundation.org