SOS Fund Matching Gift Opportunity
We hear stories of students who can't participate in activities with their peers or have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork because they lack some basic needs. You can help meet this need through the Student Opportunity for Success (SOS) Fund. Your investment helps principals assist students get the most out of their school experience even if their families are struggling financially.
Your donation will be doubled through the generosity of an anonymous donor who will match the first $10,000 in gifts to the SOS Fund dollar for dollar!
Donate $50 or more right now to help a student in financial need. Click on the Donate Now button to the right and designate your gift to 'SOS Fund'.
Help our students have every opportunity to learn, to grow, and to succeed!
As of January 20, 2010, more than $30,000 has been distributed to schools and programs for the SOS Fund! While more students still need help, this is an excellent to start for this new program. Thank you!
Invest in Children Through CPSF Now
You care about the children of Corvallis and know that their K-12 public education can make a lifelong difference! Invest in their future with a donation to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation today. Putting your donation to work on the first day of school will make a difference! Make an immediate secure credit card donation now by clicking on the Donate Now button or mail a check to us today at:
CPSF
1555 SW 35th Street
Corvallis, OR 97333
Your gift helps us award grants to support creative programs and meet significant needs in our classrooms. You may also designate your gift for a particular school, classroom, program or project.
If you have questions give us a call at 541-757-5857 (voicemails are forwarded to us if we are not at our desks) or consider emailing us using our Contact Form. Our goal is to respond to you within one business day.
Woodstock's Spring for Kids Run Sponsorships Coming In!
Many thanks to those businesses that have sent sponsorship pledges for the upcoming Woodstock's Spring for Kids Run!
Woodstock's Pizza
Corvallis Radiology
Strands.com
Benton County Schools Credit Union
Synergea Chiropractic
Paventy & Sheets Orthodontics
Alphagraphics
CH2M Hill
Samaritan Health Services
Corvallis Knights
Gazette-Times
The Corvallis Clinic
PacificSource Health Plans
Zel Brook
Fitness Over 50
Timberhill Athletic Club
Karate for Kids
Pneu-Med Inc
The Little Gym
Corvallis Country Club
And thank you to our Business Partners & prize donors:
Town & Country Realty
The Retreat
Garland Nursery
WinCo
Corvallis Indoor Sports Park
Downing's Gym
Spring Grant Cycle Now Open
Corvallis Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce that our spring grant cycle is now open. Applications for both Mini-Grants for Educational Excellence and Mario and Alma Pastega Professional Development Grants are available below or by clicking on the "How Do I Apply?" link on the menu to the left under "What We Do" and "Grants We Give."
Mini-Grants for Educational Excellence
Grants of up to $1,000 are awarded for projects that have a positive impact on student learning in Corvallis public schools.
Mario and Alma Pastega Professional Development Grants
Grants of up to $500 are awarded for professional development opportunities that will significantly impact student learning in Corvallis public schools. Grantees are required to share the information they learn with other educators.
For more information about either of these grant opportunities, please call our office at (541) 757-5857 or send an email to larina.warnock@corvallis.k12.or.us.
Woodstock's Spring for Kids Run March 13th!
Woodstock's Spring for Kids Run will be held on Saturday, March 13th! Registration will open in February. This annual event benefits CPSF's Mini-Grants for Educational Excellence.
A traveling trophy is awarded to the Corvallis elementary, middle, and high school with the highest percentage of student body participation. Additional details to follow!
Winter Break Hours
Corvallis Public Schools Foundation is located in the Corvallis School District office which is closed from December 18th to January 4th. However, we are still working and are available by appointment. Just call 757-5857 to schedule a time!
End of Year Giving and Our Grant Program
Last month, we conducted a survey of Corvallis School District employees. One of the questions we asked was whether the survey respondent had ever applied for a Mini-Grant for Educational Excellence and whether they were aware of how these grants are funded. More than 70% of respondents had applied for a grant, but fewer than 50% knew where the money comes from.
In short, it comes from donors like you.
CPSF receives a limited number of donations that are directed specifically to grants. Some donors provide gifts for particular programs so that we can offer music or art grants. Others donate specifically for the grant program and allow our grant committee to decide what kind of grants are most needed.
CPSF has a few endowments that also help fund our grant program. The James Muldoon Endowment, the Zel Brook Art Endowment, and the Doris Myers Endowment are three examples. When investments are doing well, we are able to supplement our grant program with these.
Our fall grant cycle is funded primarily by proceeds from the Woodstock's Spring for Kids Run held each March. Last year, the run provided us with nearly $10,000. This year, those proceeds allowed us to offer grants in the fall despite a decrease in undesignated giving.
But by and large, the majority of our grant program is funded with undesignated gifts. 509J employees have shown a tremendous appreciation for our grant program, but this year, we've had to cut back on the amount of funding we can offer. As you consider your end of year giving, please think about the Mini-Grants for Educational Excellence Program. Consider what it means for a teacher to have the opportunity to provide students with a unique learning experience like the hands-on CHS Bioswale activity or Hoover's Dixon Creek Water Study or Cheldelin's Mock Congress event.
These are the learning experiences that students cherish and remember. With significant budget cuts throughout the school district and more looming for next year, your undesignated donation is even more important.
Thank you for supporting our schools, our students, our community.
KLCC's Angela Kellner Visits Two Corvallis Schools
KLCC-Eugene is running a special series on education. On December 7th, Angela Kellner visited Garfield Elementary and Corvallis High School to talk to principals about closing the achievement gap for students from high poverty homes or minority backgrounds. The interview is available here.
