august 2024 update
last chance for grants!
One of several teams of Thurgood Marshall Middle School students who participated in Battle of the Books last year. For the past few years, Foundation grants have helped middle and high schools throughout the district fund the books necessary for their students to compete in this event.
Educators: Let us support you and your students this year!
Attention Olympia School District staff who work directly with students: Our second of two opportunities to submit grant requests for the upcoming school year opened this week.
If you are an educator looking to enhance student learning, address opportunity gaps, or meet needs that the district cannot, consult our website to review our grant guidelines, learn about grants awarded last year, and access the application. Requests are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Applicants will know the status of their request by mid-November; funds will be accessible by the end of November.
Thanks to WSECU, Browsers Bookshop and donors, we were able to award more than $110,000 in grants last year to district staff who work directly with students.
Beginning in September, we will highlight a successful grant from the previous school year every month.
planned giving
August is 'Make a Will Month'
We know it can feel uncomfortable to think and have conversations about end of life, which likely contributes to the fact that two-thirds of Americans do not have a will. Yet it's the only way to guarantee that the people you love the most are taken care of when you're gone. And having a will in place can provide peace of mind during a difficult time.
A will can also allow you to leave a legacy in your community. By making arrangements to leave a planned gift to a nonprofit that is meaningful to you, you can help ensure that organization's work continues for generations to come.
We are proud to be a Leave 10 South Sound nonprofit champion and encourage you to review their resources if you need help getting started creating a will.
If you have been considering making a will, but aren't sure where to get started, utilize the button below to download a free planned giving guide from our website.
Should you wish to leave a planned gift to the Olympia Education Foundation, you can consult our website for more information.
If you have already included the Foundation in your will, please consider letting us know by contacting Executive Director Katy Johansson at 360.596.6110.
rise & shine with us on oct. 4!
Reserve your seat for our annual breakfast
Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Rise & Shine for Students!, is only about one month away!
The event will begin with a short program, during which you'll hear how your support of our Principal's Emergency Fund, Opportunity Grants and Mental Health Initiative can help cultivate student potential.
Stick around after and mingle, and enjoy coffee and Left Bank pastries -- or take yours to go if you need to get on with your day!
We hope to see you at this FREE event on Friday, Oct. 4, which is a non-student day in the district (no school). Donations appreciated.
Interested in volunteering at this event, or know a student who would like to help? Please reach out to us at events@olyedfoundation.org.
ready to volunteer?
Love our mission? Join our Board!
We are looking for new members to join our volunteer Board of Trustees. This is an exciting time to come aboard, as we will begin implementing a new strategic plan in the fall.
Just as we are dedicated to our mission to cultivate student potential, we are committed to including all voices from our community as we work to improve and enrich the programs and services we offer -- and to make the community more aware of them.
If you have a keen interest in the work we do and are ready to roll up your sleeves and help out, we encourage you to apply today! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions have been filled.
If you have questions, or need access to the application in an alternative format, contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at info@olyedfoundation.org.
sponsor spotlight
Thank you to PCS Structural Solutions for your continued support of our work to cultivate student potential as Rise & Shine for Students! sponsor. Additionally, Capital High School's beautiful Performing Arts Center, where our annual breakfast is being held Friday, Oct. 4, would not have come to life without their expertise.Thank you to PCS Structural Solutions for your continued support of our work to cultivate student potential as Rise & Shine for Students! sponsor. Additionally, Capital High School's beautiful Performing Arts Center, where our annual breakfast is being held Friday, Oct. 4, would not have come to life without their expertise.