March 2026 Update
Annual Report
Dear Friend of the Foundation,
As you may have heard, after nearly seven years running the Foundation, I will be leaving at the end of May.
As fulfilling as it has been to support Olympia School District students through our mission to cultivate their potential, I realized last year as a regular lunchtime volunteer at Capital High School (CHS) how much I have missed working directly with students.
This past fall, I accepted a paraprofessional position at CHS, where I enjoy making connections with students -- particularly those who find school challenging, and who may not have a safe, trusted adult outside of school.
Taking this new position also allows me to spend more time with my family. Only two summers remain before my firstborn pursues his post-high-school path. Additionally, my mom's health has recently taken a dramatic turn.
Your support of the Foundation during my tenure has been critical to the organization's ability to support students through the Principal's Emergency Fund, Opportunity Grants and our Student & Community Well-Being efforts. I can't thank you enough for caring about kids!
And, I thank all Board trustees -- current and past -- for their leadership during the past seven years, and for recognizing the importance of:
creating a grocery, gas and laundry voucher program;
partnering with Help Us Move In-Thurston County to keep students and families housed or help them move into a new home;
ensuring we have perpetual support by establishing the Olympia Education Foundation Endowment Fund through the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound (see Page 10);
believing in the importance of Diversity, Equity & Belonging -- not only for students and staff, but for our organization;
understanding -- even before Covid -- the value of investing in student mental health and well-being; and
rebranding to add clarity that the Olympia School District and our nonprofit are two separate entities.
I will continue to work part time for the Foundation until the end of May. Please reach out to me if I can answer any questions.
Best,
Katy Johansson
Executive Director | Olympia Education Foundation
The Olympia Education Foundation's fiscal year runs Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. This report covers the financials from Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025. Please note this report is not an audited financial statement.
Tickets selling fast! Don't miss your chance to LOL!
OSD staff eligible for a discount on tickets!
As you may have already heard, we are excited that comedian Gabriel Rutledge will be performing a show this spring to benefit the Olympia Education Foundation and all of work to cultivate student potential.
Rutledge will take the stage at the historic Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia on Saturday, April 18. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the show will begin at 7 p.m.
A past winner of both the Seattle International Comedy Competition and The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Rutledge has made numerous television appearances, including Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, Nickelodeon's Nickmom Night Out, Laughs on FOX, and Inside Joke streaming on Amazon Prime Video. His Dry Bar Comedy special "A Third of the Room," as well as his YouTube special "Nectarine," have garnered millions of views online.
He is also the author of the book "Happiness Isn't Funny: True Stories of a Road Comic."Additionally, Rutledge and his family have roots in Olympia and the Olympia School District.
Tickets are on sale now -- and Olympia School District employees and Olympia Film Society members are eligible for a discount!
A limited number of VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet with Rutledge before the show as well as a drink ticket, are also available.
Golf: Seeking Sponsors
This year's scramble set for Sept. 19!
Love to golf? Mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 19, and join us 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 registration and sponsorships will still go through the Foundation.
Sponsorships are available now.
Team and individual player registration will open soon. And good news: We've lowered the cost to play this year: $480 for a team of 4 or $120 for an individual.
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to FORMA Construction and Olympia Federal Savings for stepping up to sponsor our first-ever event with comedian Gabriel Rutledge, set for Saturday, April 18, at downtown Olympia's historic Capitol Theater. Their support means even more of the funds raised from this benefit show will go directly to the Foundation -- and our mission to cultivate student potential. Tickets are going fast! See details above to learn how you can help make this event a success.