Since 1994, on the heels of Measure 5’s cuts to public education, parents began creating local school foundations to raise funds for teaching positions. There are currently 31 active local foundations in the Portland Public School District as well as five district-wide foundations in the Portland metropolitan area.

The Equity Fund

Because not all schools can raise significant private money, the Portland School Board requires 1/3 of the funds raised by local school foundations in the Portland Public Schools District to be set aside in an Equity Fund administered by the Portland Schools Foundation. The Schools Foundation targets the distribution of these funds through two grant programs designed to close the achievement gap.

Our local school foundations are critical partners in our work. Because of the active support of these parents, we are able to fund special projects in schools throughout the Portland Public School District.

Resources

• Portland metro school districts foundation information
• Local School Foundation blog, School 2 School
• PPS Local School Foundation Event Calendar
• Having an Auction?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Printable Forms

• Check Submission Form
• Credit Card Form
• Check Request Form
• Electronic Funds Transfer Form

If you have any questions or if you are interested in setting up a foundation at your local school, please contact Catherine Leedy at catherine@thinkschools.org or 503.234.5404, ext. 32.