july 2025 update
scramble on!
Twenty-six teams turned out at Capitol City Golf Club on July 11 to compete in our annual golf scramble. Participants included: (top left) Tom Marshall (left) and teammate Thurgood Marshall Middle School Principal Anthony Brock, who represented one of two principal teams; (top right) Melissa Reister (right) and teammate OSD Executive Director of Technology Marc Elliott, who were part of the "First Place OSD Staff Team;" (bottom left) Olympia High School teacher T.J. French (left) and teammate Jeff Singer, whose team was the overall winner for the day; and (bottom right) L.P. Brown Elementary Principal Sean Shaughnessy (left), who is applauded by Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson for being one of a handful of teams to not lose their "gold ball" during the entire tournament (each member of Shaughnessy's team was rewarded with a gift card to Fire Creek Alehouse at Capitol City). Photo credit: Monica Taylor
Annual golf event continues to support of students
Thanks to all of our amazing sponsors, players and volunteers for turning out at Capitol City Golf Club on July 11 for the annual Olympia Education Foundation Scramble. It was a beautiful and successful day -- with $32,000 raised in support of the Principal's Emergency Fund, and all of our work to cultivate student potential.
While we wish we had enough awards -- which were all donated by TAGS Awards and Specialties -- to give to everyone who played (especially on such a hot day!), this year honors went to:
1st Place Team: T.J. French, Jeff Singer and Jeff Beulow.
1st Place Mixed Team: Lindsey Bamba, Nick Guyer, Mike Leonard and Shea Wahlstrom (represented by sponsor Oly Fed).
1st Place Olympia School District Team: Marc Elliott, Beau Neilson, Melissa Reister and John Sheffield.
Bogey Champs: Carla Boorgard, Brenda Dawson, Jodi Erikson-Muldrew and Aurora Shackell.
Long Drive: Andy Clark and Julie Kluh.
Closest to Pin: T.J. French and Kelly Green.
We love all of our supporters for making the event possible -- and want to give a special shout out to this year's platinum sponsors: Capital Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric and Oly Fed! We also want to recognize Charlie's Bar & Grill for their continued support -- and for keeping our players hydrated. (Did we mention how hot it was?!?!)
To view the photo gallery from the day, as well as a complete list of sponsors, please use the button below.
And stay tuned for details about next year's event!
Help us cultivate student potential
Come work with us!
We are looking for new members to join our volunteer Board of Trustees. This is an exciting time to come aboard, as we have recently begun implementing a new strategic plan.
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!
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions have been filled.
Questions? Need access to the application in an alternative format? Contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at info@olyedfoundation.org.
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.
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.
Save the date
Rise & Shine for Students! this fall
Reserve the morning of Oct. 3 for our biggest fundraiser of the year: Rise & Shine for Students!
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 Student & Community Well-Being efforts are helping cultivate student potential in all of Olympia's public schools!
Stick around after to mingle, and enjoy Ember Goods 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. 3, 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.
Last chance: Grants open Aug. 25
"Middle school is full of ups and downs, and some days are especially lonely," said Sherry Duerre, a counselor at Washington Middle School , who was awarded a grant in 24-25 to support a lunch group in the school cafeteria. "Lunch group provides a space to build connections and belonging rather than having to sit alone. The goal is build the confidence and mindfulness to help students find their people and re-enter the common spaces. While in lunch group, we ... provide activities like crafts, games and art. We believe this avenue helps students relax and also connect with their peers in approachable ways." And it did! According to Duerre, during lunch group last year, "Students met new friends and felt comfortable sitting with others in the cafeteria, counselors and the school social worker got to know students much better, and students felt a relief of lunch-time anxiety knowing they could come to a calm, quiet, small group."
Grants for 25-26 school year must be requested by Oct. 24!
Attention Olympia School District staff who work directly with students: Your final opportunity to apply for an Opportunity Grant -- to enhance student learning, address opportunity gaps, and meet needs that the district cannot -- is nearing. The second of two application periods opens
Aug. 25; requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. Oct. 24.
Our grants allow educators to enhance student learning, address opportunity gaps, and meet needs that the district cannot. For a list of projects that have been funded in the past -- as well as for more details about the process and to access the application -- use the button below.
Thanks to WSECU, Browsers Bookshop and individual donors, we were able to award nearly $130,000 in grants last year, supporting programs and projects in every school in the district.
sponsor spotlight
Thank you to Capital Business Machines for sponsoring this year's Rise & Shine for Students! event. We appreciate all you do to support staff in Olympia's public schools!