Katy ISD Limelight Challenge Surpasses Goal, Raising Over $78,000 for Inspiring Imagination Teacher Grants
In Katy ISD, supporting teachers is more than a slogan — it’s a community effort. This year’s Katy ISD Limelight Challenge not only met its $75,000 fundraising goal, it surpassed it, reaching $78,619.31 — or 105% of its target — to benefit Inspiring Imagination teacher grants.
For families across Katy, Texas, those dollars represent real classroom impact. They mean updated science labs, immersive learning technology, collaborative campus projects, and innovative programs that might not otherwise fit into a traditional school budget.
And behind every dollar raised was a team, a captain, and a network of supporters who chose to invest in Katy ISD students.
How the Katy ISD Limelight Challenge Works
The Limelight Challenge is a districtwide, team-based fundraising initiative supporting the Katy ISD Education Foundation. Every dollar raised through the campaign directly benefits Inspiring Imagination teacher grants across Katy ISD campuses.
This year’s challenge followed a structured, online fundraising format designed to encourage broad participation from campuses, families, and community supporters.
Participants began by registering as a Team Captain and creating a dedicated fundraising page through the official Limelight Challenge portal. Once registered, captains could customize their team page and track donations in real time.
Supporters then located their preferred team through the online search tool and leaderboard, made donations, and shared fundraising links across email and social media platforms.
A live leaderboard tracked progress publicly, fostering friendly competition among schools and individual fundraisers. By the close of the challenge, the community had raised $78,619.31 — surpassing the $75,000 goal and reaching 105% of the target.
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Recognizing the Fundraising Leaders
The 2026 Limelight Challenge highlighted the power of friendly competition. The live leaderboard tracked fundraising totals in real time, encouraging teams to rally support.
Among the top individual fundraising pages:
- Sarah Hunsucker – $12,359.56
- Lauran DeForke – $10,845.66
- Ellen Farrar (Exley Elementary Team Captain) – $2,527.22
- Julie Yeager (Jordan High School) – $1,620.21
- Kathryn Donnelly – $1,195.80
In overall campus standings, Katy Junior High earned first place, followed by WoodCreek Junior High in second. Both schools were formally recognized and presented awards by Jerry Ashworth, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Hermann Cypress and Katy Hospitals.
The event also celebrated the top eight fundraising teams for their collective effort to strengthen classrooms across the district.
Where the Money Goes: Inspiring Imagination Teacher Grants
Every Limelight dollar supports the Katy ISD Education Foundation’s Inspiring Imagination teacher grants — the core mission of the Foundation.
Each year, Katy ISD educators directly involved in student instruction may apply for grants in the following categories:
- Up to $5,000 for three teachers or more
- Up to $2,500 for two teachers
- Up to $1,000 for an individual teacher
Campus collaborative categories include:
- Up to $5,000 for three campuses or more
- Up to $2,500 for two campuses
Grant funds have previously purchased science equipment, musical instruments, emergency room crash carts for simulations, virtual reality goggles for immersive history instruction, and other forward-thinking instructional tools designed for long-term classroom use.
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A Record of Community Investment
The Katy ISD Education Foundation was created to unite individuals and businesses who share a strong belief in supporting children and teachers, and its long-term impact across the district reflects that commitment. To date, the Foundation has awarded $4.0 million in funding, impacted 587,000 students, and supported 880 teacher grants that bring innovative ideas to life in Katy ISD classrooms.
Guided by clear and consistent goals, the Foundation works to create a collaborative space where teamwork prevails, add measurable value to Katy ISD and the broader community, manage funds and programs to the highest standards, and keep Katy ISD students and the educators who serve them at the center of every decision.
In a fast-growing district like Katy ISD, sustained community investment through initiatives such as the Limelight Challenge continues to play an important role in maintaining educational excellence and reinforcing the pride families feel in their local schools.
Why This Matters for Katy ISD Families
For homeowners and families in Katy, strong public schools influence everything from property values to long-term community stability. Supporting teacher innovation ensures that classrooms evolve alongside student needs.
The Limelight Challenge offers a simple but powerful model: grassroots fundraising that directly benefits local teachers and students. With every share, every donation, and every team effort, residents become active stakeholders in the future of Katy ISD.
Those interested in forming a team, supporting a fundraiser, or learning more can visit the Katy ISD Education Foundation website or contact the Foundation at 281-396-6031 or foundation@katyisd.org. Community members can also follow updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay informed about future Limelight events.
As the funds raised through this year’s Limelight Challenge begin flowing into classrooms, the real results will be seen in student engagement, teacher creativity, and the continued growth of Katy ISD.
For ongoing coverage of Katy ISD news, education initiatives, and community impact stories, stay connected with My Neighborhood News.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.