2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8272  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU/ABOUT.US/FOUNDATION
For immediate release:
Media contact: Lesley Range-Stanton, Plano Independent School District, 469.752.8094
Alliance Data Announces $200,000 Donation to Plano ISD Education
Foundation, Committing to a Multi-Year Partnership through 2013
Company’s Gift to Boost Education Achievement through STEM Science Initiative and Other
Programs
(Plano, Texas) March 1, 2011 — The Plano ISD Education Foundation announced today that Alliance Data,
a leading provider of loyalty marketing services headquartered in Plano, will support the Foundation through
a multi-year, $200,000 contribution. The funding will benefit programs designed to boost educational
achievement for Plano ISD students. In addition to monetary support, the company will provide employee
volunteer support throughout the school district.
This year’s funding will benefit a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) secondary science
improvement initiative, grants to educators, an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program
leadership retreat and support for three Title 1 school campuses.
“Alliance Data has always been committed to supporting the communities where we live and work. Given
our recent move to Plano and one of our focus areas being education, partnering with PISD was a natural
fit,” said Ed Heffernan, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Data “Supporting efforts that help
students excel in school is absolutely imperative to ensuring the viability of our national economy and
society as a whole. We want to help the PISD raise student achievement in the areas of math and science,
and get them better prepared for college so they are ready to address the challenges of the future.”
Additionally, we’re pleased to support initiatives that further empower teachers to drive creativity and
innovation in their classrooms as well as other programs that help under-served schools. What better place to
start tackling these issues then in our own back yard, and with the support of our very giving employee
volunteers.”
“The Plano ISD Education Foundation greatly appreciates this significant contribution to improve
educational achievement among the school district’s students,” said Michael Urtso, Foundation President.
“With this gift from Alliance Data, the district is able to support these important initiatives that will help
Plano ISD succeed in its mission to provide an excellent education for all students.”
“In today's economic climate partnerships such as this are essential to sustaining the academic excellence
that our community has grown to expect” Added Monica Shortino, Foundation Executive Director.
About the funding and programs:
STEM Secondary Science Improvement Initiative: As the program’s largest single corporate contributor,
a majority of Alliance Data’s recent gift will support Plano ISD’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math) initiative for secondary science improvement. The school district has identified the subject areas
of secondary science and mathematics as those needing the greatest improvement in student performance. In
2010, the district embarked upon a $654,000, four-year middle school and high school science improvement
plan requiring more rigorous science curriculum and retooling teacher knowledge base to ensure student
success.
2700 WEST 15TH STREET  PLANO, TEXAS 75075
(P) 469.752.8272  (F) 469.752.8096  WWW.PISD.EDU/ABOUT.US/FOUNDATION
Grants to Educators: Another portion of Alliance Data’s donation will help fund grants to educators. The
competitive grants are made available to all Plano ISD educators annually. Grants are submitted by
individual teachers, teams of teachers, a grade level or entire school, multiple schools, or region of school
district. Grants provide supplemental funds to enhance projects demonstrating instructional excellence.
Donors participate in a surprise grant distribution day each November.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): The Alliance Data gift will also fund a February,
2011, leadership retreat for 90 students who participate in Plano ISD’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual
Determination) program. AVID offers comprehensive, multi-year classroom support through elective
courses encouraging students’ successful participation in advanced courses. Students enrolled in AVID
teaches academic and study skills that promote higher level thinking, provides intensive support with in-class
college tutors and strong student/teacher relationships, increases college awareness for students and parents
through college field trips and research projects, offers leadership training, parent seminars and classroom
speakers that instill skills needed in college and adult life.
Title I Campus Support: Finally, Alliance Data’s contribution will fund additional resources and teacher
development at three of Plano ISD’s Title 1 schools. Plano ISD currently has twenty-five percent of students
on free and/or reduced lunch. Plano ISD has 24 campuses classified as Title I campuses for dense
populations of low income families. The campuses have limited aid from PTA due to families with little
disposable income. Campuses struggle with activity funds to meet daily needs on the campus.
About the Plano ISD Education Foundation
The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with the mission to help all students in
Plano public schools achieve their full potential by providing financial support to educators and academic programs.
Support for priority projects identified by Plano ISD not funded by tax dollars. The Foundation provides grants to
educators, science and math improvement efforts, literacy programs, programs that support academic enrichment to
Plano ISD students, emergency assistance for teachers and staff members in crisis, as well as programs aimed at
recruiting and retaining quality teachers. To learn more about the Plano ISD Education Foundation or to make a
donation, contact Executive Director Monica Shortino at 469-752-8091 or go to the web site at
http://www.pisd.edu/foundation
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data® (NYSE: ADS) and its combined businesses is North America’s largest and most comprehensive
provider of transaction-based, data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries.
The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the
result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today’s
most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that
engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and other emerging
technologies. Headquartered in Dallas, Alliance Data employs approximately 7,400 associates at 50 locations
worldwide.
Alliance Data is a leading provider of marketing-driven credit solutions, and is the parent company of Epsilon®, a
leading provider of multi-channel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and LoyaltyOne®, which owns and
operates the AIR MILES® Reward Program, Canada’s premier coalition loyalty program. For more information about
the company, visit our web site, www.AllianceData.com, or you can follow us on Twitter at
www.Twitter.com/AllianceData.
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