A limited amount of Olympia Education Foundation grant funding is available this school year for the district’s counselors, social workers, behavior techs and those working in restorative justice centers. This funding goes to developing programs or acquiring materials that specifically address social-emotional learning and mental health. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 21.
Questions? Contact Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson at info@olyedfoundation.org.
After receiving and awarding a record number of grant requests, the Foundation has closed Teaching & Learning Grants for the remainder of the 22-23 school year. All budgeted funds have been awarded. However, SEL/Mental Health Grants remain open to counselors, social workers, behavior techs and restorative justice staff until Friday, April 21.
Questions? Please contact Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson at (360) 596-6110 or katy@olyedfoundation.org.
The following message was submitted by Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson:
The response this year from district staff who work directly with students to the Foundation’s Teaching & Learning Grants is the greatest we have ever seen!
So great, in fact, that we are putting a pause on accepting any further requests, as we may not be able to fund the final round.
If you submitted an application period 3 request before the 5 p.m. deadline on Feb. 17, rest assured that it is being considered. Applicants will be notified by 5 p.m. Friday, March 17, about the status of their request.
The Foundation will announce in mid-March whether we can fund any additional Teaching & Learning grant requests this year.
Please note: There is still funding available for SEL/Mental Health Grants. Counselors, social workers, behavior techs and restorative justice staff are encouraged to apply by 5 p.m. Friday, April 21.
A limited amount of Olympia Education Foundation grant funding is available this school year for Olympia School District staff who work directly with students. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 17.
These grants, available via a simple application, are enhancing student learning, addressing opportunity gaps and funding opportunities that the district and individual schools cannot, including:
library and classroom books
musical instruments that are used in K-5 schools by all students
intervention tools for students who need assistance catching up as a result of the pandemic
art projects
school gardens
sensory tools to center students so they can engage in learning
Last month the Olympia Education Foundation Board of Trustees approved $38,400 in Teaching & Learning, SEL/Mental Health and Browsers Books grants. This is in addition to the nearly $70,000 in grants approved in October.
You can find a list of grants awarded during the 2021-22 school year here. And you can learn more about how these grants are transforming students’ lives by watching this video.
Questions? Contact Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson at info@olyedfoundation.org.
Need support for a project that your building does not have the budget for? Consider the Olympia Education Foundation, which is currently accepting Grant Requests in any amount up to $2,000. Application period 2 requests are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2022.
Choose either “Teaching & Learning” OR “SEL/Mental Health Grants.”
Fill out the correct Google Form.
Please note SEL/Mental Health Grants (formerly Mental Health Initiative Grants) support counselors, social workers, behavior technicians, and restorative justice centers by funding materials and the development of programs that specifically address social/emotional learning and mental health.
Applicants will be notified of their Grant Request’s status prior to winter break.
Funding for Grant Requests is first come, first served. And grant funding cannot be rolled over to the next school year.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at (360) 596-6110 or info@olyedfoundation.org.
Come celebrate all of the Olympia School District Education Foundation’s work to empower students in our schools – including the Principal’s Emergency Fund, Teaching & Learning Grants, and Mental Health Initiative – at its annual fundraising breakfast on Friday, October 7, a non-student day. Enjoy pastries and hear the Foundation’s big news in person!
Tickets: As always, tickets are free and can be reserved in advance here. Venue: Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave. N.W. (park in lower lot) Doors Open: 7:30 a.m. Program Begins: 7:45 a.m. (approximate program length: 30 minutes) Food: Pastries and coffee will be served in the lobby at the conclusion of the program. Stay and mingle, or take yours to go so you can return to your building in time for the day’s professional development opportunities.
Need support for a project that your building does not have the budget for? Consider the nonprofit Olympia School District Education Foundation, which accepts Grant Requests in any amount up to $2,000. Application period 1 requests are due by 5 p.m. Friday, September 23.
Please note the following changes, most of which are meant to make the application process more efficient:
All Grant Requests must be made using the Google Form found on our website at www.osdef.org/grants; we will no longer accept requests made in Word.
Applicants no longer need to select a category unless they are applying for:
A Browsers Bookshop grant for a classroom or school library. Browsers generously provides 10 grants, each in the amount of $500, for the procurement of books. Books must be purchased through Browsers, which offers a 20 percent discount for educators.
An SEL/Mental Health Grant (see below).
SEL/Mental Health Grants (formerly Mental Health Initiative Grants) will support counselors, social workers, behavior technicians, and restorative justice centers by funding materials and the development of programs that specifically address social/emotional learning and mental health.
Applicants who apply during the period 1 will be notified of their request’s status by no later than Oct. 18.
The Foundation encourages requests earlier in the school year to help ensure all monies can be spent before the end of the fiscal year, Aug. 31, 2023. However, there are three other due dates if you don’t have time to submit by this Friday: Nov. 18, Feb. 17, and April 21.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at (360) 596-6110 or info@osdef.org.
The nonprofit Olympia School District Education Foundation is now accepting Grant Requests from staff who work directly with students for the 2022-23 school year. Please note the following changes submitted by the Foundation, most of which are meant to make the application process more efficient:
All Grant Requests must be made using a Google Form, which can be found on the Foundation website at www.osdef.org/grants; we will no longer accept requests made in Word.
Applicants no longer need to select a category unless they are applying for:
A Browsers Bookshop grant for a classroom or school library. Browsers generously provides 10 grants, each in the amount of $500, for the procurement of books. Books must be purchased through Browsers, which offers a 20 percent discount for educators.
An SEL/Mental Health Grant (see below).
SEL/Mental Health Grants (formerly Mental Health Initiative Grants) will support counselors, social workers, behavior technicians and restorative justice centers by funding materials and the development of programs that specifically address social/emotional learning and mental health.
To be considered during the first of four application periods during the school year:
Grant Requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. Applicants will be notified by no later than Oct. 18 of the status of their request. (Key dates for all application periods are posted on the website.)
You must have submitted a complete Post-Grant Report for any previous grants awarded.
The Foundation encourages requests earlier in the school year to help ensure all monies can be spent before the end of the fiscal year, Aug. 31, 2023.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at (360) 596-6110 or info@osdef.org.
The Education Foundation is looking for new members to serve on its Board of Trustees. The Foundation has posted the following on its website:
This is an exciting time to join, with many efforts under way intended to further strengthen our organization, programs and fundraising.
We are committed to including all voices from our community to better inform, improve and enrich the programs and services we offer, including our:
Principal’s Emergency Fund, which supports students who have urgent basic needs.
Teaching & Learning Grants, which enhance student learning, address opportunity gaps, and meet needs that the District and individual schools cannot.
Mental Health Initiative, which provides resources intended to improve student mental health.
We have identified our highest priorities for new members as:
Individuals who have the time, energy and passion to dive right in and would welcome the opportunity to eventually take on a Board leadership role.
People with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences that reflect our mission to empower every student.
People who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, and/or are multilingual.
Individuals with a professional background in mental health, marketing and nonprofits.
Those who are LGBTQIAA+.
People who are living in or have experienced poverty.
High school students who are or will be enrolled in the Olympia School District for the 2022-2023 school year.
Responsibilities
You can learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trusteeshere. The average time commitment per month for a Trustee is four hours.
Application Process
Help us get to know you by completing our Volunteer Form. (If you need it in an alternative format, contact info@osdef.org or 360.596.6110.) We will consider applications on a rolling basis and interview final candidates this summer.
Other Opportunities
We plan to offer opportunities to serve on issue-specific advisory committees and will announce those details in the coming months. We are always looking for people who would like to help with our fund-raising events (Aug. 26 golf tournament and Oct. 7 breakfast event) or in the office. Use the same Volunteer Form and tell us you’d like to help with these activities.
Questions?
Need more information before applying? Don’t hesitate to contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at info@osdef.org.
The Olympia Education Foundation’s annual report, Empowering Every Student,* is available on the Foundation’s website. Inside you can learn about both the impact the Foundation is having on OSD students, families and staff, and its current programs, including:
Principal’s Emergency Fund, which assists students who have urgent basic needs — to ensure they feel successful in school and life.
Teaching & Learning Grants, which enhance student learning in all OSD schools.
Mental Health Initiative, which supports the mental health and social-emotional needs of students.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at katy@osdef.org or (360) 596-6110.
*The Foundation’s fiscal year runs Sept. 1 – Aug. 31. This report covers the period of Sept. 1, 2020 through Aug. 31, 2021.
Here's The Scoop 
You must be logged in to post a comment.