The State of Texas has one of the largest Czech-American populations in the USA. As many as 750,000 Texans trace at least part of their ancestry to the Czech lands of Bohemia and Moravia, which now make up the Czech Republic. Evidence of this heritage can be seen in annual Texas Czech festivals and celebrations, fraternal organizations, music and cultural programs, Czech- language newspapers, and publications of books about the Czechs in Texas.

Higher education has always been of unparalleled importance to the Czechs, and the Texas Czechs have continued a tradition of its advancement, supporting the teaching of Czech language and culture through the years at both the high school and the college level. In light of, and supported by such tradition, a farsighted group of Czech Texans in 1954 founded the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas (CEFT).

CEFT was formed for the purpose of promoting Czech language and culture in Texas through the support of higher education programs. From the beginning, CEFT has promoted Czech language classes and Czech studies programs, and granted scholarships to students in those programs.

Introduction to CEFT

Membership in CEFT is open to all persons who share the organization's goals, and directors are selected from the membership. As an independent, non-profit corporation, CEFT has no ties to any religious, fraternal, or other organization, though many of its, directors and members are active in those groups as well.

The Czech Educational Foundation of Texas is registered with the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation (Charter No. 122175-1) with tax-exempt status granted by the Internal Revenue Code (74-6060770).