The Peninsula Schools Education Foundation held its annual fundraiser September 26 at Canterwood Golf & Country Club. The organization hosts both a breakfast and lunch to provide more opportunities for people who want to support local education efforts.
This year, the fundraiser attracted more than 250 people, including local civic and business leaders, school administrators and teachers. The group raised more than $50,000 to support students, teachers and programs in Peninsula School District.
PSEF is separate from PSD, but was founded to work in concert with local teachers as they work on innovative classroom projects. Since its start in 1995, PSEF has provided more than $750,000 to support students, educators and schools in PSD. The nonprofit funds classroom innovation grants, support for special-needs programs, high school scholarships hands on art experiences at all elementary schools and an annual STEM workshop for middle-school girls.
PenLight, Uptown Gig Harbor, Greene-Gasaway, TCF Architecture and Galaxy Theatre are major sponsors. Teachers have until October 31 to submit proposals online. Grants are awarded in November. As part of the process, teachers issue reports when their proposals are complete.
In the past, funds have been used to buy classroom—support items such as cameras or computers, or interactive learning tools such as robots to encourage team building, technology advancement and engineering through robotics.
PSEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a volunteer board of directors. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised are invested and placed into an endowment fund. For more information and to follow this year’s stories of grants and programs in action, visit www.peninsulaeducationfoundation.org and www.facebook.com/PSEFoundation.