The JC Schools Foundation calls on the community for engagement.

When it comes to championing a legacy of excellence, building success begins with a strong foundation. Since 1998, The JC Schools Foundation has been dedicated to raising funds to support teachers and students of the Jefferson City School District. The foundation has provided more than $250,000 in classroom grants to Jefferson City teachers, hosted uplifting and memorable community events, and assisted in an extensive scholarship program for graduating seniors.

For nearly 10 years, the JC Schools Foundation worked on a more grassroots level, but the mission has always been the same: Support public schools in the community. With a five-member board of volunteers and 50 founding members, the foundation worked diligently to establish an endowment used for backing the more than 10,000 families and 1,500 staff within the community. In 2007, Karen Enloe was named the nonprofit’s first executive director, a role she would hold until 2019. Karen became a huge asset in establishing the foundation and providing unwavering support to its mission. In addition to the foundation’s director, 19 community members sit on the JC Schools Foundation Board of Officers and help raise funds and resources to foster a tradition of success.

The board officers also help provide institutional and historical knowledge in helping build and provide support within the confines of the classroom. One of the greatest ways the foundation has been making waves is through its distribution of teacher and school grants. While funded primarily through generous private donations, financial support is also raised through community events like the district’s Princess & Papa Dance, Major Saver discount cards, partnerships with theatrical arts and local businesses like My Fair Ellie, and the JC Schools Foundation’s Annual Gala. This monetary support is used to bolster the learning environments shared by students and teachers. Twice per school year, grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 are awarded to various teachers and schools. From science, math, and technology needs to flexible seating and literacy materials for classroom libraries, the foundation provides financial assistance to fit a diverse range of curricula that promote collaboration, differentiated instruction, and 21st-century skills. The grants are hand-delivered via the foundation’s Prize Patrol, a small group of board officers and retired educators.

Along with grants, the foundation also impacts the community by hosting various uplifting events, including the aforementioned Princess & Papa Dance, a chili and cinnamon roll drive-thru, and Santa Day, an event which can be described as a magical day for students. The foundation, in conjunction with Southwest Early Childhood Center, organizes games, cookie decorating, shared donations from Scholastic, and a visit from Santa.

Additional support, specifically for graduating seniors, exists in the form of the foundation’s Common Scholarship program. As Capital City High School and Jefferson City High School seniors prepare to take the next step in their educational journeys, the foundation works with donors to choose deserving recipients for available scholarships. For the 2020 school year, the foundation helped the district distribute 116 scholarships.

As the landscape of public education is always shifting, one constant is the need for continued support for students and teachers. There is always a need for people to join committees, serve on a board, and help fill other sorts of needs. Members of the community are invited to engage with the foundation and get involved in the opportunities they have.

To learn more about how you can contribute to the JC Schools Foundation, you can visit their website to see how you could donate or volunteer and make a impactful difference in the Jefferson City community. Individuals, businesses, and corporations who are interested in establishing a gift for the annual fund, gifting for a specific purpose, or establishing a scholarship are welcome to contact the executive director Peyton Orban at (573)659-2769 or email at peyton.orban@jcschools.us.