SAN ANTONIO, Texas (August 8, 2023) – The Firstmark Foundation is pleased to announce its 2023 grant award of $100,000 to The Holdsworth Center to help scale their Superintendent Leadership Program (SLP).
This 18-month program creates unique learning opportunities for superintendents across the state as they navigate unprecedented challenges serving in a role that impacts educational quality. Additionally, this grant award will fund the development of future programming that invests in the next generation of Texas superintendents.
“The Holdsworth Center is a well-known and highly respected Texas institution and it’s an absolute honor to partner with them to build stronger leaders for Texas public schools,” said Marisa Pérez-Díaz, executive director of the Firstmark Foundation. “Our Texas school children deserve to be supported in their learning journey by well-prepared adults who can guide them. We believe The Holdsworth Center holds the keys.”
This unique program is designed to develop new and rising superintendents using curriculum tailored to address the most challenging aspects of the superintendent’s role—this includes leading with vision and strategy, enhancing communication, and building a high-performing executive team. The goal is to provide targeted training and leadership development in a supportive environment surrounded by peers.
“In one of the most challenging periods in the history of public education, we believe we can do more to support superintendents as they advocate for teachers and students,” said Dr. Lindsay Whorton, president of The Holdsworth Center. “We are grateful to Firstmark for their deep commitment to public education, and their recognition that courageous leadership can make a difference for teachers and students alike.”
ABOUT The Firstmark Foundation
The FIRSTMARK FOUNDATION is a non-profit, public charity focused on making a tangible, positive impact in the education community through the collective giving of the membership. Firstmark Credit Union offers the Power of the Dollar® Checking that includes a $1 monthly impact fee that goes directly to the Firstmark Foundation. On behalf of the members of Firstmark, the Foundation will fund significant needs across our school districts, such as constructing new facilities, improving existing amenities, enhancing learning spaces, and providing education grants and student scholarships. Founded on the philosophy of people helping people, ten teachers made the best use of their resources, established a credit union to serve educators, and 90 years later, Firstmark continues to build upon their legacy, supporting the vital work of our schools.
ABOUT The Holdsworth Center
Driven by the belief that teachers and students thrive with great leadership, THE HOLDSWORTH CENTER builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools. Founded as a nonprofit in 2017 by H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt, Holdsworth provides world-class leadership development programs and services within districts and at its Campus on Lake Austin, a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education matters. For more information, visit Holdsworthcenter.org.