High Impact Grants

High Impact Grants

Funder: Firstmark Foundation (Firstmark Credit Union)

Award Amounts: $40,000 to $100,000

Recurrence: One-time grants to organizations (not recurring annual program)

Focus Areas

Strategic grants supporting education initiatives and professional development:
• Financial wellness and student advocacy programming
• Teacher professional development and training
• Superintendent and leadership development
• Teacher recruitment and retention
• Educational infrastructure and resources
• Project-based learning methods

Geographic Scope

San Antonio area and Central Texas region

Recent Grant Examples (2021-2025)

2025: Alamo Colleges District – $100,000

Five new financial resource libraries

Case management and financial wellness programming

Scholarships for students

Blended financial wellness into Student Advocacy Center Network

Focus on improving economic and social mobility for local graduates

2024: San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT) – $100,000

SAMSAT Educator Fellows Program

One-year teacher training in project-based learning (PBL) methods

Three experienced teachers serving as mentors

Focus on Title I schools serving underrepresented populations

Professional development for teachers

2023: The Holdsworth Center – $100,000

Superintendent Leadership Program (SLP) scaling

Leadership development for superintendents with 5 or fewer years of service

Training in strategic leadership, vision, communication, and executive team building

2022: CAST Schools Network – $40,000

Teacher Residency Program support

Teacher recruitment and retention

Network of support, coaching, and mentorship

Hands-on classroom experience for educators pursuing teaching certificates

2021: CAST Teach – $80,000

School infrastructure costs

Innovative model classroom construction

Professional resource library development

Teacher preparation program for high school students interested in education

Application Process

No open application process described. Grants appear to be by invitation or directed funding based on Firstmark Foundation's strategic initiatives.

Contact

Phone: (210) 442-0100