our history

In July 1997, the Olympia School District organized a group of civic leaders and concerned citizens to consider developing an education foundation for the OSD. After a year of planning, the Foundation was formed.

Originally, the foundation was directed to use donations to fund teacher grants and summer school foreign language programs. other programs provided by foundation have included: the Middle School Math Tutoring Program and the Performing Arts Initiative. both of these programs have since been folded into teaching & learning grants.

today, the foundation continues to support grants, as well as the principal’s emergency fund and mental health initiative. if the district feels comfortable sending fifth-graders to cispus learning center for overnight outdoor education again this spring, we will continue to help fund that experience.

to help clarify the distinction between the district and the foundation, in 2022, the olympia school district education foundation became the olympia education foundation.

Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than $2 million to programs to empower every student.