NFF was proud to provide $8 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) toward construction of a new school in Uvalde, TX, to replace Robb Elementary after the horrific school shooting that took place there in 2022.
Nonprofit Finance Fund’s financing team found themselves lost in Uvalde, Texas, on their way to the ribbon cutting for Legacy Elementary School, built to replace Robb Elementary School after the horrific school shooting that took place there in 2022. A local man saw them and asked where they were heading. He started giving directions but then reconsidered. “Know what? Follow me,” he said, and led the way in his older model pickup truck.
For NFF Chief Credit Officer Kareem Thomas, it was a sign of healing for a community that had endured not only a mass shooting but also the political attacks and media scrutiny that followed. “He could have seen us as outsiders arriving in a community that had already endured so much. Instead, he welcomed us in and quite literally showed us the way. For me, it captured the quiet strength and generosity of a community in the midst of healing.”
Legacy Elementary School’s construction was one of the most important and successful financing efforts NFF has participated in – providing $8 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs) as part of a package to bring the project to its full $64 million funding. NMTC is a federal program that encourages private investment in underserved areas. In this project, the funds invested through the program were used for construction, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
“The construction of Legacy Elementary was profoundly impacted by investments made through two rounds of funding through the New Markets Tax Credit program. The two rounds netted $7.8 million that went directly to the physical costs of building the campus,” said Tim Miller, Executive Director of the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation. “Beyond the investments made, our CDFI partners continue to be some of our most committed supporters of helping the Uvalde community on its journey toward healing.”
“I was in awe of what everyone involved in the Uvalde project was able to accomplish,” says Onika Lewis, Vice President of New Markets Tax Credits at NFF. “This project shows how community-centered work – listening to local voices, understanding needs, and responding with care – can create meaningful and lasting impact.”
Community was top of mind as the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation developed the project, seeded with $10 million in donations from the H-E-B Grocery Company and the Butt family. The foundation worked with Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, teachers, staff, and the Uvalde community to develop and implement plans for the new building to replace Robb Elementary School.
More giving brought the project to completion: Huckabee Inc. donated architectural services, Joeris Construction donated pre-construction services, and Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Company discounted its construction services. Additional funding came from the state of Texas, individual funders, and two rounds of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) investments.
[O]ur CDFI partners continue to be some of our most committed supporters of helping the Uvalde community on its journey toward healing.
The new school opened in October 2025 and spans 116,000 square feet, featuring 12 classrooms per grade level and a student capacity of 800. It currently serves 535 students in grades 3-5, about 80% of them from low-income families.
“The work of building a new elementary school in Uvalde CISD following the shooting at Robb Elementary was always about more than the physical building,” Miller said. “Legacy Elementary was designed to be a place where safety and security blended seamlessly into a warm, welcoming campus where healing and hope can continue for the Uvalde community.”
The building was designed to reflect the cultural heritage of the community, with colors inspired by local wildlife and the Frio River. It incorporates strong security features and amenities to support students’ mental health. And it is the only school in the area with an air-conditioned gymnasium, a boon in southwest Texas’ hot climate. Outside of the library sits a memorial – a massive sculpture of an oak tree sprouting two large branches and nineteen smaller branches in memory of the teachers and students who died in the attack on Robb Elementary.
“The community came together quickly to support the children and families,” says Onika. “In a small town like Uvalde, everyone was impacted in some way. This project really highlights the importance of relationships and collaboration – how people can set aside egos to work together. Supporting the community’s long-term recovery was a huge undertaking, and it’s incredible that it was completed in just a couple of years.”
“What we witnessed in Uvalde was a community moving forward with remarkable strength, faith, and resilience,” Kareem says. “Being invited into that space, and trusted to support that journey, was an honor – and a responsibility I don’t take lightly.”
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