2022-23: Celebrating 25 years of giving back!

The Foundation For Allen Schools is a separate nonprofit education foundation which exists solely to support Allen ISD teachers and students. The Foundation was established in 1997 by a group of school and community leaders who were charged with utilizing a donation from two sisters and long-time Allen residents,  Miss Viola Rose and Mrs. Minnie Rose Shelton.

Viola and Minnie grew up and went to school in Allen. When the sisters passed away, they had no heirs and chose to give their estate to help their community. One half was given to the City of Allen and one half to the Allen Independent School District. The instructions to the district were that the money was to be used to support teachers and students. An original board of directors, all volunteers, worked for several years to raise additional funds and develop ideas for Foundation programs.

They awarded the first classroom grants for the 1999-2000 school year; a total of 7 grants were awarded that year. In 2000, a part-time director was hired and eventually, the board grew to 25 members with a focus on classroom grants, teacher training and recognition, and student scholarships.

To date, the Foundation has awarded over 1,417 classroom grants, 1,561 student scholarships, and provided support for Allen ISD educators to attend graduate school, receive special training, and be recognized for their accomplishments.

What the sisters helped to create has had a very positive and direct effect on the lives of many Allen children. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $3.4 million in Allen ISD.