Edmond Public Schools Foundation celebrates, UCO collaborates
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Photo Provided by EPSF
The Edmond Public Schools Foundation commemorated 40 years of financial support, serving all public schools and students in the district.
In 1984, Edmond’s parents recognized that their children and teachers needed financial aid to support the current and long-term needs of the Edmond Public Schools District.
School foundations play a role in supporting educational systems by addressing funding shortfalls through community engagement and advocacy.
In celebration of 40 years, EPSF hopes to raise $40,000 for the school district this year. Titled ‘40 for 40 Campaign’, money will be matched 1 to 3 by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.
You can pledge a donation on www.edmondpsf.org after scrolling to their 40th anniversary page on the website home.
“As one of the first public school foundations in Oklahoma, we are grateful to have celebrated this milestone with some of the founders and many more who served after them,” EPSF CEO Deanna Boston said. She has been with the foundation since 2019 and has helped secure over $1 million in funding from nationwide donors. “We look forward to celebrating them alongside educators at the upcoming EDIEE Awards on April 16.”
The Educators and Donors Providing Innovative Education in Edmond (EDIEE) Awards at Aspen Ranch next month will also announce the Teacher of the Year and Support Personnel of the Year.
EPSF is planning for a new initiative coming this year too. Launching September 2024, the University of Central Oklahoma and EPS are partnering to create an ‘Early College Program’ for underprivileged students in the district. With the success DonorsChoose has found, EPSF plans to continue their ambassador programs as well.
DonorsChoose is a website that allows anyone to help an Edmond (or any other listed school district’s) classroom by making donations directly to classes, programs and teachers. Over $1.6 million has been raised for EPS on the website so far, and there are currently 26 projects that still need funding on donorschoose.org/edmondschools.
EPSF helps teachers ease the burden of spending their own money for their classroom.
“The day the boxes arrived, my students were excited to add the new materials to our science center,” Jennifer Ferguson of Northern Hills Elementary said. “The Primary Science ViewScope has been such a hit! Students have used it to investigate so many items.”
Between 2021 and 2026, EPSF’s goal is to invest $2.6 million into EPS, leverage an additional $1.7 million in support, grow its endowment by $280,000 and find creative ways to improve public education. Four decades since its inception, EPSF has provided funding for over 34 Edmond schools, enhancing education for over 26,000 students.