﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Return xmlns="http://www.irs.gov/efile" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.irs.gov/efile" returnVersion="2024v5.5">
  <ReturnHeader binaryAttachmentCnt="0">
    <ReturnTs>2026-06-22T10:53:00-05:00</ReturnTs>
    <TaxPeriodEndDt>2025-08-31</TaxPeriodEndDt>
    <PreparerFirmGrp>
      <PreparerFirmEIN>311119890</PreparerFirmEIN>
      <PreparerFirmName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>BARNES DENNIG &amp; CO LTD</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </PreparerFirmName>
      <PreparerUSAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>5342 W VERMONT ST</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>INDIANAPOLIS</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>IN</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>46224</ZIPCd>
      </PreparerUSAddress>
    </PreparerFirmGrp>
    <ReturnTypeCd>990EZ</ReturnTypeCd>
    <TaxPeriodBeginDt>2024-09-01</TaxPeriodBeginDt>
    <Filer>
      <EIN>311162335</EIN>
      <BusinessName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>ISTA FOUNDATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
        <BusinessNameLine2Txt>OF EDUCATION</BusinessNameLine2Txt>
      </BusinessName>
      <BusinessNameControlTxt>ISTA</BusinessNameControlTxt>
      <PhoneNum>3172633350</PhoneNum>
      <USAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>150 W MARKET ST 900</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>INDIANAPOLIS</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>IN</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>46204</ZIPCd>
      </USAddress>
    </Filer>
    <BusinessOfficerGrp>
      <PersonNm>KEITH ZAPP</PersonNm>
      <PersonTitleTxt>ISTA CFO</PersonTitleTxt>
      <PhoneNum>3172633350</PhoneNum>
      <SignatureDt>2026-06-10</SignatureDt>
      <DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>1</DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>
    </BusinessOfficerGrp>
    <IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd>1</IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd>
    <PreparerPersonGrp>
      <PreparerPersonNm>JOHN W KELLER CPA</PreparerPersonNm>
      <PTIN>P01329619</PTIN>
      <PhoneNum>3172412999</PhoneNum>
      <PreparationDt>2026-06-10</PreparationDt>
    </PreparerPersonGrp>
    <TaxYr>2024</TaxYr>
    <BuildTS>2025-03-06 01:10:19Z</BuildTS>
  </ReturnHeader>
  <ReturnData documentCnt="5">
    <IRS990EZ documentId="RetDoc1234200001" referenceDocumentId="RetDoc1051800001 RetDoc2278000001">
      <AmendedReturnInd>X</AmendedReturnInd>
      <MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd>X</MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd>
      <WebsiteAddressTxt>N/A</WebsiteAddressTxt>
      <Organization501c3Ind referenceDocumentId="RetDoc1039100001">X</Organization501c3Ind>
      <TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>X</TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>
      <GrossReceiptsAmt>70108</GrossReceiptsAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>
      <ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>70108</ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>
      <TotalRevenueAmt>70108</TotalRevenueAmt>
      <GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt>104395</GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt>
      <OtherExpensesTotalAmt>4767</OtherExpensesTotalAmt>
      <TotalExpensesAmt>109162</TotalExpensesAmt>
      <ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>-39054</ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>334510</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>
      <OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt>0</OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>295456</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd>
      <CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>339643</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>289109</EOYAmt>
      </CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
      <OtherAssetsTotalDetail>
        <BOYAmt>5490</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>7037</EOYAmt>
      </OtherAssetsTotalDetail>
      <Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>345133</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>296146</EOYAmt>
      </Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
      <SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>10623</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>690</EOYAmt>
      </SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>334510</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>295456</EOYAmt>
      </NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd>
      <PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>ISTA FOUNDATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION (ISTA FOUNDATION) IS COMMITTED TO THE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL. ISTA FOUNDATION WORKS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION BY ENGAGING COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND BRINGING AWARENESS OF SUCCESSES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.</PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>
      <ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
        <DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS &amp; EDUCATORS GRANTS</DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>
        <GrantsAndAllocationsAmt>104395</GrantsAndAllocationsAmt>
        <ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>109162</ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      </ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
      <TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>109162</TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIVInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIVInd>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>SHALONDA MORROW</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>JENNIFER LAUGHLIN</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>JENNIFER BUTLER</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>TROY JOHNSON</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>STACY KURDELAK</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>CHAIR (7/15/25-CURRENT)</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>DR HEATHER SCHILLING</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>DR MATTIE L JONES</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>MATT WHITSON</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>SECRETARY/TREASURER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>DIANA REED</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>JENNIFER SMITH-MARGRAF</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>CHAIR(9/24-7/25) DIRECTOR (7/15/25)</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>NATHAN WILLIAMS</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR (9/9/24-CURRENT)</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>KEITH GAMBILL</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>DIRECTOR (9/1/24-7/14/25)</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>1.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartVInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartVInd>
      <ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>0</ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>
      <ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>0</ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>
      <OrganizationHadUBIInd>0</OrganizationHadUBIInd>
      <SubjectToProxyTaxInd>0</SubjectToProxyTaxInd>
      <OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>0</OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>
      <DirectIndirectPltclExpendAmt>0</DirectIndirectPltclExpendAmt>
      <MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>0</MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4911Amt>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4911Amt>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4912Amt>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4912Amt>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4955Amt>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4955Amt>
      <EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>0</EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>
      <TaxImposedOnOrganizationMgrAmt>0</TaxImposedOnOrganizationMgrAmt>
      <TaxReimbursedByOrganizationAmt>0</TaxReimbursedByOrganizationAmt>
      <ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>0</ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>
      <StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd>IN</StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd>
      <BooksInCareOfDetail>
        <PersonNm>KEITH ZAPP</PersonNm>
        <USAddress>
          <AddressLine1Txt>150 W MARKET STREET</AddressLine1Txt>
          <CityNm>INDIANAPOLIS</CityNm>
          <StateAbbreviationCd>IN</StateAbbreviationCd>
          <ZIPCd>46204</ZIPCd>
        </USAddress>
        <PhoneNum>3172633350</PhoneNum>
      </BooksInCareOfDetail>
      <ForeignFinancialAccountInd>0</ForeignFinancialAccountInd>
      <ForeignOfficeInd>0</ForeignOfficeInd>
      <DonorAdvisedFndsInd>0</DonorAdvisedFndsInd>
      <OperateHospitalInd>0</OperateHospitalInd>
      <TanningServicesProvidedInd>0</TanningServicesProvidedInd>
      <RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>0</RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>
      <PoliticalCampaignActyInd>0</PoliticalCampaignActyInd>
      <LobbyingActivitiesInd>0</LobbyingActivitiesInd>
      <SchoolOperatingInd>0</SchoolOperatingInd>
      <TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>0</TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>
      <PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>NONE</PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>
      <PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>NONE</PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>
      <FiledScheduleAInd>1</FiledScheduleAInd>
    </IRS990EZ>
    <IRS990ScheduleA documentId="RetDoc1039100001">
      <PublicOrganization170Ind>X</PublicOrganization170Ind>
      <GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>194756</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>194599</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>33317</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>66490</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>70108</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>559270</TotalAmt>
      </GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp>
      <TotalCalendarYear170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>194756</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>194599</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>33317</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>66490</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>70108</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>559270</TotalAmt>
      </TotalCalendarYear170Grp>
      <PublicSupportTotal170Amt>559270</PublicSupportTotal170Amt>
      <TotalSupportAmt>559270</TotalSupportAmt>
      <PublicSupportCY170Pct>1.00000</PublicSupportCY170Pct>
      <PublicSupportPY170Pct>0.99800</PublicSupportPY170Pct>
      <ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind>X</ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind>
    </IRS990ScheduleA>
    <IRS990ScheduleB documentId="RetDoc1234500001">
      <ContributorInformationGrp>
        <ContributorNum>RESTRICTED</ContributorNum>
        <ContributorBusinessName>
          <BusinessNameLine1>RESTRICTED</BusinessNameLine1>
        </ContributorBusinessName>
        <ContributorUSAddress>
          <AddressLine1>RESTRICTED</AddressLine1>
          <AddressLine2>RESTRICTED</AddressLine2>
          <City>RESTRICTED</City>
          <State>RESTRICTED</State>
          <ZIPCode>RESTRICTED</ZIPCode>
        </ContributorUSAddress>
        <TotalContributionsAmt>RESTRICTED</TotalContributionsAmt>
      </ContributorInformationGrp>
    </IRS990ScheduleB>
    <IRS990ScheduleO documentId="RetDoc1051800001">
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 10 - GRANTS AND SIMILAR AMOUNTS PAID</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION: SCHOLARSHIPS. GRANTEE NAME: SCHOLARSHIP DISBURSEMENTS. AMOUNT GIVEN: 45,995.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 10 - GRANTS AND SIMILAR AMOUNTS PAID</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION: EDUCATOR LEARNING GRANTS. GRANTEE NAME: GRANT DISBURSEMENTS. AMOUNT GIVEN: 58,400. TOTAL INCLUDED ON FORM 990-EZ, LINE 10: 104,395.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 - OTHER EXPENSES</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>DESCRIPTION: PAYMENT TO AFFILATES. AMOUNT: 232. DESCRIPTION: ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. AMOUNT: 4,535. TOTAL TO FORM 990-EZ, LINE 16: 4,767.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24 - OTHER ASSETS</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>DESCRIPTION: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. BEG. OF YEAR AMOUNT: 5,490. END OF YEAR AMOUNT: 7,037.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 26 - OTHER LIABILITIES</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>DESCRIPTION: DEFERRED SCHOLARSHIP REVENUE. BEG. OF YEAR AMOUNT: 10,623. END OF YEAR AMOUNT: 0. DESCRIPTION: OTHER LIABILITIES. BEG. OF YEAR AMOUNT: 0. END OF YEAR AMOUNT: 690.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
    </IRS990ScheduleO>
    <TransferPrsnlBnftContractsDecl documentId="RetDoc2278000001">
      <DeclarationDesc>THE ORGANIZATION DID NOT, DURING THE YEAR, RECEIVE ANY FUNDS, DIRECTLY,OR INDIRECTLY, TO PAY PREMIUMS ON A PERSONAL BENEFIT CONTRACT.THE ORGANIZATION, DID NOT, DURING THE YEAR, PAY ANY PREMIUMS, DIRECTLY,OR INDIRECTLY, ON A PERSONAL BENEFIT CONTRACT.</DeclarationDesc>
    </TransferPrsnlBnftContractsDecl>
  </ReturnData>
</Return>