march 2024 update
Dear Friend of the Foundation,
In July of 1998, after a year of thoughtful planning, our organization was born. And thanks to generous community support, we celebrated our 25th birthday on July 28, 2023!
While plenty about the Foundation has changed during the past quarter-century, including our name, mission, logo and programs -- one thing has remained constant: our commitment to students. Students are at the heart of everything we do -- from our mission to empower every one of them to our programs, which support students in a variety of ways:
The Principal's Emergency Fund allows school staff to immediately meet students' urgent basic needs so they can stay engaged in learning and feel successful in school and life.
Teaching & Learning Grants provide opportunities and experiences to students that enhance learning, close opportunity gaps and meet needs their school cannot.
The Mental Health Initiative is a response to the increased anxiety, depression and stress many students are experiencing, including the nearly one-quarter of 12th-graders in Olympia's schools who have reported considering attempting suicide.
As if turning 25 weren't enough, the Foundation reached an additional milestone in our last fiscal year: the conclusion of our most recent strategic plan. While we didn't check every single "to-do" box, we're proud of what we did accomplish, including:
Increasing community awareness about who we are and what we do by rebranding to become the Olympia Education Foundation, and better distinguishing ourselves as a nonprofit that exists to support students in Olympia's public schools.
Developing a Board of Trustees that is more representative of our community, including establishing a Diversity, Equity & Belonging Committee and dedicating funding toward that purpose.
Ensuring our long-term fiscal viability by allowing less of our budget to be restricted to specific programs, and establishing a planned giving program and an endowment fund, both of which will allow for long-term support of our student-focused mission.
And our work is not done! We have recently begun developing our latest strategic plan. I hope it goes without saying that students will be its inspiration. If you are interested in participating in the development of our strategic plan as a stakeholder, just reach out.
Please use the link in the button below to access a complete version of our 2023 Annual Report.
Best,
Katy Johansson
Executive Director | Olympia Education Foundation
event update
Golf scramble sponsorships now available!
The summer season may be a few months away, but summer weather is here now (at least for a couple moredays)! And so are sponsorships for our annual golf scramble, which is set for Friday, July 12! Whether you love playing or prefer to cheer others on, you can find the right level for your organization here.
We announced recently that we are moving this year's Olympia Education Foundation Scramble to Capitol City Golf Club.
Questions? Contact events@olyedfoundation.org, or use the button below, to learn more.
Team registration for non-sponsors will open in the coming weeks.
We look 'fore'-ward to seeing you at Capitol City on July 12!
parenting tools
Concerned about your student's screen time? Join us May 1!
Our free parent education series with Emily McMason of Evolving Parents continues in April and May with three additional presentations open to all families that have students in the Olympia School District.
Tuesday, April 30: Jessica Martinez will share how you can offer your middle- and high-school students more support and answer questions about raising your teen-ager. All Olympia School District families are welcome. Please note: This presentation will be given entirely in Spanish.
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Roosevelt Elementary School library
Free on-site child care provided (for kids who can use the toilet on their own)
Wednesday, May 1: Screens: How much time is too much? How can I set limits without kids melting down? What kind of content is right for their ages? Come join a conversation with Emily McMason about how to navigate the online world so kids can learn, grow and thrive with media as part of their lives. (Presentation covers content most appropriate for middle- and high-school students.)
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Jefferson Middle School library
ALL OSD families welcome. (You do not need to have a student enrolled at Jefferson to attend.)
Save the Date: Wednesday, May 8: Emily McMason will give a presentation geared toward families that have K-5 students. Free onsite child care will be available. Stay tuned for details about the location and the subject she will cover!
community support spotlight
Thank you to West Olympia Rotary for selecting our Principal's Emergency Fund as the beneficiary of their April 19 "Jukebox Heroes" dueling pianos fundraiser. If you'd like to sponsor or attend this event -- and help support the Principal's Emergency Fund -- please reach out to bettyholt@olympicsir.com or visit westolympiarotary.org.