The Brownwood Education Foundation (BEF) will be holding a Claybird Club Challenge fundraiser on Saturday, May 3, 2025. “The BEF Claybird Club Challenge is a clay shooting match for individual shooters or teams at the Claybird Club in Brownwood, Texas,” said BEF Executive Coordinator Danielle Rosborough. “We wanted to start a new event in the spring that continues to support Brownwood ISD teachers and students. Anyone registered for the event may attend.” The BEF holds an annual gala in the fall, a large fundraiser that provides funding for classroom grants, student scholarships, teachers’ continued education, teacher awards, retirement stipends, and more. This new event will additionally benefit BISD teachers and students through funding these projects. Claybird Challenge Participants will compete individually or in teams of four people, with thirteen stations available. Individual and team awards will be given at the end of the event, and lunch is included. Tickets cost $175 per person. Waivers must be signed upon arrival.

The Claybird Challenge event begins with check-in at 8:00 AM. A safety course begins at 8:45 AM. Shooting begins at 9:00 AM. Shooter cards will be due by 12:00 PM, at which point lunch will be served for participants until 1:00 PM. Current available sponsorships include Shooting Station Sponsorships for $200, and Shell Sponsorship (paying for all shooters’ shells) for a maximum of $2,200. The Shell Sponsorship may vary based on registration. Participants are permitted to bring their golf carts, or they may rent on-site.

“The most exciting thing about this event is coming together as a community, getting outside in beautiful weather, and appreciating a common goal of support to Brownwood Education Foundation,” Rosborough said. “These efforts directly impact Brownwood ISD for the better.”

For more information, registration, or to become a sponsor, visit https://www.supportbisd.com/claybird.
Article by: Sara Musgrove

The Brownwood Education Foundation (BEF) has initiated a new campaign to engage with new ‘Friends of the Foundation’ through a monthly subscription donation to support Brownwood ISD. “We want to reach people who want to give to BEF but may not be able to give a large donation all at once,” said Danielle Rosborough, BEF Executive Coordinator. “A ‘friend’ is someone who gives a recurring monthly gift to BEF of any amount they choose. My husband and I are starting with ten dollars a month. It is a way for us to give back without being in the position of a major donor.” All ‘Friends of the Foundation’ will be recognized on social media posts, in the 2025-26 football program, and through other various manners throughout the year.

Anyone is welcome to be a ‘Friend of the Foundation’ in order to support Brownwood ISD. Donations provide classroom grants, student scholarships, teacher continued education grants, teacher awards, and retirement stipends. “The Brownwood ISD does incredible things for our children, parents of children, and teachers; however, many times they are only able to go so far with fundraising or sponsorships,” Rosborough said. “The BEF is able to accept gifts for BISD, which in turn directly impacts classrooms. This provides opportunities for individual and collective growth with the materials purchased. Every small gift, and every large gift, reaches generations into the future of BISD and the growth of our campuses. When we fulfill needs due to generous gifts, we build more purpose and vision in students’ lives.” BEF provides tangible supplies and products for BISD teachers and students, enabling them to expand their education and hands-on learning processes.

To become a ‘Friend of the Foundation’ and partner with a community-changing venture, visit https://www.supportbisd.com/donate.html.

Article by: Sara Musgrove

BROWNWOOD, Texas – Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Brownwood Education Foundation (BEF) hosted their Country Gala, an annual fundraiser to support Brownwood ISD. “This year's BEF Country Gala was unique in that we were one of the first public events held at the brand-new Brownwood Event Center, as well as hosting an amazing George Strait Tribute Band that had two of George Strait's players playing in the band, and a separate Gala Sponsor Event prior to general admission,” said Danielle Rosborough, BEF Executive Coordinator. “General admission was incredibly affordable at only $40 for a general admission ticket for a night full of fantastic family fun. This is a new Go-To event for Brownwood, Texas.”

The Country Gala featured a catered meal and entertainment at the Sponsor Event prior to the concert. The concert by Strait From the Stateline filled the outside venue and mall area, with food trucks, dancing, and a live auction for bids on the recently replaced Gordon Wood Stadium maroon turf lion. “The BEF has a large annual fundraiser every year; this year, we decided to redefine "gala" as a "Country Gala." Thus, the Brownwood Education Foundation Country Gala was born,” Rosborough said. “Full of amazing food and drinks, dancing, a great band and so many things to do at our community’s newest venue, the Brownwood Event Center, it was a wonderful night of fundraising for our teachers and students.”

The BEF organization raises money for Brownwood ISD teacher grants, student scholarships, teacher awards, teacher retirement stipends, and teacher continued education. “Because of our amazing sponsors, general ticket sales, donations, and Adopt-A-Grant/Adopt-A-Scholarship opportunities, we were able to raise just over $80,000,” Rosborough said. “That's huge for our community.”

At past fundraiser events, BEF has featured a live auction to generate additional support for the event. This year, Rosborough implemented an Adopt-A-Grant or Adopt-A-Scholarship opportunity. Attendees were provided a link to pledge to fund a teacher grant or student/teacher scholarship. “When a business or individual sponsors a table for the gala, they show support for BISD teachers and students throughout the school year,” Rosborough said. “On top of that, when they give to our ‘Adopt’ opportunities, they are naming a grant that is directly paired to a teacher or group of teachers who apply for a grant, and/or an individual student applying for a scholarship.” Teachers apply for grants toward the end of the school year and the board decides what grants they can fund over the summer. The annual fundraiser’s efforts determine how many teachers or teacher groups receive funding for their ideas. Grant requests fund innovative projects in the classrooms. These include elements such as STEM initiatives, computer programs, technological devices, craft supplies, and much more. BEF funded all the grant requests for the 2024-25 school year and looks to increase their capabilities because of this year’s Country Gala. Additionally, with the Adopt-A-Scholarship pledges, an increased amount of senior high school students will receive scholarships through BEF. “Because of our Gala Sponsors, and all who gave to the Adopt a Grant/Adopt a Scholarship opportunity, we are looking to make some massive, positive impacts this coming school year,” Rosborough said. “Perhaps, the biggest we've ever seen.”

The Country Gala’s presenting sponsor was Wright Asphalt. Table sponsors included Brown County Abstract, Citizens National Bank, Elliott Electric, Haynes Law Firm, Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, Texas Bank, Waldrop Construction, Weldon Wilson Electric, KOXE, Desert Paving, Bruner Auto Group, Howard Payne University, Claycomb Associates Architects, Martin Earthworks, Golfmart, Brownwood News, Longhorn Mini Storages, Strong Business Solutions LLC, Avalon Custom Homes & Pools, Wells Team (Keller Williams), TSTC, Barr, Big Country Ford, Centex Equipment Sales.
“Thank you to all who attended the Brownwood Education Foundation Country Gala,” Rosborough said. “We are looking forward to next year's event, so go ahead and mark your calendars for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Brownwood Event Center.”
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If interested in hearing more from the Brownwood Education Foundation, join the e-newsletter list: Join BEF Newsletter. For giving opportunities, please visit www.supportbisd.com/donate.

Article by: Sara Musgrove