Investing in our Students

Our purpose is to seek, cultivate and obtain revenues to develop and expand educational opportunities for the students of the North East Independent School District. NEEF underwrites projects and programs that enhance the basic required curriculum and broaden the range of students’ educational experience.

The North East Educational Foundation staff works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure North East ISD students have the best learning opportunities possible. We love promoting innovation within the District and surprising our teachers with classroom grants.

Audited Financials and Policies and Procedures Manual available upon request.

View Our Board

View Annual Report

View Our Form 990

Katherine Sanchez-Rocha

Executive Director

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Madison Vega

Development Coordinator

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Olga Valanos

Community Relations Specialist

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Brooklynne Jackson

Executive Assistant

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Sparky

Branding Member

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Katherine Sanchez-Rocha

Executive Director

Katherine Sanchez-Rocha Executive Director, joined NEEF in August 2022. Having grown up in San Antonio, she has deep roots in our great city and is a proud graduate of NEISD, as is her family.

Katherine passionately advocates for students and understands the need to connect education and the workforce. Prior to joining NEEF, Katherine served Alamo Academies as an Executive Director, in addition to her volunteer work involving issues dealing with family, education, and our military.

A few organizations she supports are the NEISD School Health Advisory Council, the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute Teleton (CRIT), Lo Bello Women’s Association, San Antonio Manufacturers Association, and her neighborhood associations.

When she is not working or volunteering, Katherine can be found enjoying the outdoors, digital photography, and gardening.

Madison Vega

Development Coordinator

Madison is responsible for organizing and executing fundraising campaigns and special events. Madison joined NEEF as the Development Coordinator in June 2021.

Prior to joining NEEF, she was the Community Projects and Initiatives Coordinator at the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for four years. Madison holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and an MPA from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2021, she obtained her Nonprofit Administration and Leadership Certificate from UTSA.

Outside of work, Madison is a die-hard barbecue lover who can’t live without sweet tea. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, listening to podcasts, and watching reruns of Law-and-Order SVU.

Raised in San Antonio, Madison is thrilled to be working for NEEF and support educational initiatives for students and teachers in NEISD.

Olga Valanos

Community Relations Specialist

Olga joined NEEF in May 2022, where she is responsible for communications and community relations.

Previously, she consulted as a social media content creator and video editor. She also worked for the Geneva Foundation as a Marketing Communications Assistant at the Brooke Army Medical Center.

Before relocating to Texas from New Mexico, Olga held a variety of marketing roles in the private and public sectors. She also produced, directed, and marketed an award-winning documentary film that was viewed globally.

She holds an MBA from Loyola College in Maryland and a Bachelor’s in Art History from Boston University.

Olga enjoys time with her family, paddle boarding, hiking, biking, attending cultural events and art exhibitions. She believes in the value of education and is passionate about furthering opportunities for the next generation.

Brooklynne Jackson

Executive Assistant

Brooklynne Jackson joined the team in the Fall of 2021 as the Executive Assistant, coming from the Fine Arts Department.

She is a product of NEISD, graduating from DATA at Roosevelt High School. With her father working for NEISD, she grew up in an NEISD family and was involved in athletics. Now her own children will be attending NEISD schools.

Brooklynne Jackson previously worked in customer service, sales, and development. She earned her Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice as well as became a certified Paralegal in 2017.

Sparky

Branding Member

Sparky officially joined the NEEF team in 2018.

As our branding member, Sparky takes the lead in pumping up the crowd and handing out grants. During his short tenure, we have seen a 100 percent increase in team spirit.

Sparky enjoys meeting NEEF supporters, giving out high fives and training for NEISD’s mascot race.

Timeline of our History

The North East Educational Foundation was created in 1985 to expand educational opportunities for students of NEISD. Since that time, the Foundation has funded hundreds of projects that have enriched and enhanced students’ learning experience on our campuses.

Timeline

1985

NEEF Is Founded

NEISD Trustee John Seibert recommends to the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Ed West that a nonprofit foundation be formed to fund educational programs for NEISD. He reasons that the student population was increasing while state financial help was declining. The state had recently added several unfunded mandates which meant more of the school budget would be used for basic obligations and less would be used for enrichment. Since North East taxpayers would continue to expect students to receive an education of the highest quality, the District followed Seibert’s recommendation.

1986

Charitable Status

The North East Educational Foundation (NEEF) receives 501(c)(3) charitable status. Its purpose is to seek, cultivate and obtain revenues to be used for developing and expanding educational opportunities for students of North East ISD.

1990

Permanent Investment Funds

NEEF Board approves the formation of permanent investment funds into which 25% of undesignated contributions go each year. This was established so NEEF can remain financially sound and accrue interest over the years.

1990

First Projects Funded

First projects are funded! Each elementary school receives an Academic Decathlon math and science test bank for team study and a geography program for map and globe skills by Nystrom.

1996

Texas Commissioner of Education Speaks

On the Foundation’s 10th anniversary, Texas Commissioner of Education Dr. Mike Moses speaks at NEEF’s gala and emphasizes the importance of education foundations to public schools. The gala raises approximately $15,500.

1999

19 New Projects Funded

Fundraising efforts continue to increase, NEEF raises $38,800. We are able to fund 19 of the 40 projects requested.

2004

44 New Projects Funded

NEEF funds 44 projects for a total of $55,000. We create a strategic planning team to ensure success over the next decade.

2013

Director of Partnerships Assists NEEF

With hard work and determination, NEEF funds $124,500 in grant requests. As funds and responsibilities increased, it became clear the Foundation needed a liaison from the District staff to assist NEEF part-time. The Director of Partnerships for NEISD begins working with NEEF to assist and amplify fundraising efforts.

2017

Memorandum of Understanding

NEEF funds a whopping $218,101 in grant requests. The NEISD Board of Trustees and NEEF Board form a new “tightly coupled” model through a Memorandum of Understanding. The Foundation remains a separate, private 501(c)(3), and utilizes staff positions funded by the District to raise funds for the greater good of the District.

2018

Three-Year Strategic Plan

The NEEF Board enters into an aggressive three-year strategic plan to encourage growth and innovation within the Foundation.

2018

Sparky is Born

100% increase in team spirit with our newest branding member, SPARKY! Our Facebook followers are asked to participate in the naming of our ‘lightbulb guy.’ NEISD teacher Leigh Anne Roeber is the first follower to mention the name ‘Sparky.’

2019

Record-Breaking Year

Another record-breaking year, NEEF funds $363,000 in Innovative Grants for NEISD teachers and students! A flight simulator for Eisenhower Middle School and a sensory motor lab for Thousand Oaks Elementary School are among the 60 projects funded.