July 2026 Update
Looking Ahead Together
Director's Update
Summer is often thought of as the "quiet season" for schools—but at the Olympia Education Foundation, it's one of our busiest times of the year.
Over the past several weeks we've been wrapping up our 2025–26 Principal's Emergency Fund and grant programs while preparing for another exciting school year. Summer is our opportunity to evaluate our programs, strengthen our systems, and ensure we're ready to support students, educators, and families when school begins this fall.
We're also gearing up for one of our favorite community traditions—the Olympia Education Foundation Golf Scramble on September 18. This event brings together local businesses, community members, and education supporters for a day of fun while raising critical funds that directly benefit Olympia School District students. In this issue, you'll meet some of the amazing people helping make this year's tournament possible.
You'll also read about the incredible generosity of our community through the Nourish the American Dream campaign, learn what we're working on behind the scenes this summer, and discover ways you can get involved with the Foundation.
Whether you volunteer, sponsor an event, make a donation, or simply help spread the word, you are helping create opportunities for Olympia students. Thank you for being part of our community. We hope you're enjoying a wonderful summer, and we look forward to another great school year together!
Warmly,
Kelly Hart
Executive Director
Behind the Scenes: Golf Scramble
Driving Student Success: Meet the Team Behind the Golf Scramble
The Olympia Education Foundation Golf Scramble is much more than a day on the golf course. Every team, sponsor, volunteer, and donor helps provide emergency assistance to Olympia School District students through the Principal's Emergency Fund.
We caught up with tournament co-chairs Mike Bowen from the Olympia Education Foundation Board of Trustees, along with Francisco Flores of Food & Beverage Manager
Firecreek Grill & Ale House at the Capitol City Golf Club, to learn what makes this event so special.
Q & A with the Golf Scramble Coordinators
For someone who has never attended the Golf Scramble, what can they expect? A day of fun with friends and colleagues! Get to enjoy a stress free day on the golf course with a scramble (best ball) format. Plus some fun side games, raffle, prizes, trophies and more!
Why is the Golf Scramble such an important event for the Foundation? Fundraising is a key part of what we do to be able to support our programs like the Principal's Emergency Fund, and the Golf Scramble is one of our main events for fundraising. Through the generosity of our teams and sponsors, we have been able to raise over $30,000 in past years to help support our students and families who have the most urgent needs.
Tell us a little history of the event. The Golf Scramble has been around for a long time...in fact, Francisco from Firecreek Grill was a key part in helping our very first Golf Scramble come to life. It's amazing that we have come full circle to partner with him again to make this year's event happen. The tournament moved to Capitol City Golf Club in 2024 and we have had just an amazing experience working with the team here, including Steve McNelly at the course.
Firecreek Grill & Ale House at the Capitol City Golf Club has become an incredible partner. What inspired you to get so involved with the Olympia Education Foundation? What makes this partnership special? Francisco: How I got involved: It started with a Google search. While working at P's & Q's back then my friends Amanda and Whitney wanted to help a local foundation so we searched on Google. I honestly had no idea who the foundation was or what they did. After the tournament, we were invited to the luncheon. Being there was an eye-opener to how much kids and families were in need in the area, there were some very sad and inspiring stories that day. Since that time, I've wanted to help a little bit every year with this golf tournament. It's something I enjoy doing and makes me happy to think the money We are raising will help a kid or family that isn't as fortunate as some of us are. It's great that I have the opportunity to work with this Foundation again after all the years We've worked together.
What has surprised you most while planning this year's event? Just the amazing support from all of our sponsors, both returning and new. It's incredible to see how much passion there is in our community to support non-profit events like this.
If someone isn't a golfer, can they still help? Yes! Corporate sponsors can still support even without fielding a team. We also can always use extra hands for day-of event help, please reach out to events@olyedfoundation.org if you would like to volunteer.
Finally, why (and where) should someone register today? We have a goal this year to field a full set of teams (36) and would love for you to be part of that. Please register at our website: https://www.olyedfoundation.org/golf
BONUS QUESTIONS:
Favorite hole at Capitol City?
Hole #11 (unless I put it in the water)
Best golf advice you've ever received?
Forget whatever happened on the last hole
Favorite food and beverage at Firecreek Grill & Ale House?
Breakfast Burrito
Registration Open
This year's scramble set for Sept. 19!
Join us Saturday, Sept. 19, at Capitol City Golf Club for a day of fun in support of the Principal's Emergency Fund -- and all of our work to cultivate student potential. This is a date change from the previous two years when the tournament was held in July.
Another new component this year: Firecreek Ale House is organizing the tournament for us. And all proceeds will still go directly to us! We are beyond grateful for their support.
Team and individual player registration is now open. And good news: We've lowered the cost to play this year: $480 for a team of 4 or $120 for an individual. To register, use the button below, then choose "View Available Tickets."
Sponsorships are also available.
Nourish Results
Olympia Education Foundation Raises $1,300 As Part of Nationwide Nourish the American Dream Campaign to Help End Childhood Hunger in Olympia, WA
Community support during Albertsons Companies Foundation’s national campaign will help provide meals for local children and families
Olympia, WA, July 16, 2026) — Thanks to the generosity of local shoppers and supporters, Olympia Education Foundation raised $1,300 through Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourish the American Dream campaign as part of its Nourishing Neighbors initiative, a first-of-its-kind nationwide fundraising effort that surpassed its $5 million goal and generated more than $12.2 million in support for childhood hunger relief across America.
Held July 1-7, the campaign united communities across the country through in-store donations and online giving, helping to provide critical funding for organizations addressing food insecurity at the local level. Every qualifying donation made during the campaign was matched by Albertsons Companies Foundation, amplifying the impact of every dollar raised.
The funds raised will directly support Olympia Education Foundation's Principal's Emergency Fund, providing emergency assistance for students and families facing unexpected financial hardships. These flexible funds help school principals respond quickly to needs such as food, clothing, transportation, and other essentials so students can remain healthy, engaged, and ready to learn.
Small Gift. Big Difference
Principal's Emergency Fund
Throughout the year, principals used the Principal's Emergency Fund to help a students whose family were experiencing unexpected hardships. A grocery voucher and transportation assistance can help stabilize the family during a difficult times, allowing the student to return to school ready to learn.
It's a simple reminder that even small acts of generosity can have a lasting impact.
Save the Dates
Coming Soon
August – Opportunity & Community Wellness Grant awards announced
September 18 – Golf Scramble
Fall – Principal's Emergency Fund launches for 2026–27
Winter – Battle of the Books preparations begin
Spring – Rise & Shine Breakfast (March 5, 2027)
Date Change: Rise and Shine for Students
Please note a schedule change!
Our annual Rise & Shine for Students breakfast has moved to Thursday, March 5, 2027 to better align with the Olympia School District calendar.
We hope you'll save the date now—we look forward to celebrating another year of community support for Olympia students.
Summer Projects
Summer Focus: Learning, Improving & Planning
While students enjoy summer break, we're hard at work reviewing and evaluating many of our programs to help us serve students even better.
This summer we're taking a comprehensive look at:
Principal's Emergency Fund (PEF)
Opportunity Grants
Student & Community Well-Being initiatives
We're reviewing outcomes, gathering feedback, updating processes, and identifying opportunities to increase our impact during the coming school year. Please reach out if you have any input or questions about these programs.
Get Involved!
The Olympia Education Foundation continues to grow—and we'd love your help.
We're currently looking for:
New members to join our Board of Trustees
Volunteers for events and committees
Community members with professional expertise
Student interns interested in nonprofit leadership, communications, fundraising, and community engagement
If you've been looking for a meaningful way to support local students, we'd love to hear from you.
Your Voice Matters
The Olympia School District is currently gathering community feedback as part of its district assessment process.
Your input helps shape priorities that impact students, families, and educators across our district. We encourage everyone to participate.
Thank you for supporting Olympia students. We look forward to sharing more updates throughout the year! Have a wonderful Summer!
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank You, Browsers Bookshop!
A huge thank you to everyone at Browsers Bookshop and all of the volunteers, educators, families, and students who helped make this year's Battle of the Books another wonderful success.
Events like these celebrate reading while building community, and we're grateful for everyone who made it possible. A Roosevelt Elementary Librarian said “It was a terrific year and perfect timing. Students read books they probably never would have selected on their own. We are also a thrilled to have received 10 copies of 11 different new books!”
