The purpose of the Education Foundation of Pendleton is to encourage and support curriculum enrichment, supplemental learning experiences, and other projects which may be deemed necessary and timely for the benefit of students in the Pendleton School District 16R. Through its work, the Foundation promotes public awareness and seeks to broaden the support of the community for its public schools. Funds for professional development are not a priority but may be considered.

The foundation is a 501c(3), domestic non-profit corporation. Its purpose is to promote, facilitate and carry out academic endeavors aimed at enriching the student experience in the Pendleton School District.

Enriching the Lives of Pendleton Students Since 1985

“When we set this foundation up, we had no idea how unique the concept was,” according to Julianne Sawyer, founding member of the Education Foundation of Pendleton, in reflection on the beginning of the organization in 1985.

Julianne and Susan Woodward of the Task Force for Excellence in Education for Pendleton School District 16-R, a year earlier recognized a need for a public non-profit educational foundation to support educational goals for Pendleton students.

The stated purpose of the EFP is to enhance the curriculum of Pendleton School district above and beyond the tax-supported programs.

“Over the years, it appears that we were way ahead of our time,” Julianne noted. The Salem Foundation, the first educational foundation in Oregon, advised the new local group. Eugene was organizing at the same time. Lake Oswego, Portland and Beaverton did not begin their educational foundations until three to five years later.

A. Dale Brandt, M.D., served as the first president of the Pendleton foundation with Julianne as vice-president and Susan Woodward, secretary. Other early board members included: David Nelson and Frank Cupp who joined representatives from all parts of the community.

The Feves family was instrumental in getting the foundation started financially. Jack Whitman, brother of local artist Betty Feves, offered to match every $5,000 raised with $5,000 of his own. In this way, the initial $40,000 was raised to start the fund.

In 2000 Elsa Hagen, a longtime Pendleton educator, left $99,000 to the Foundation. Elsa firmly believed in the Education Foundation and what it gave to the students of Pendleton—opportunities to learn more and to make the school experience more meaningful.

Through the years special donations have been made to the foundation in memory of Judith Irish Anderson, Phil and Bobbie Farley and other local educators.

Harriet Isom created a special fund in January 2008 to honor John Struve, enthusiastic sports supporter. Struve memorial funds are given with the purpose of encouraging “sports participation among PHS students who lack the means to do so on their own.”

The EFP awarded its first grant of $50 in 1987 in support of a teacher “workshop for Creative Arts. Other early grants included supporting an arts curriculum pilot program, a summer arts program for teachers, and leadership training for elementary students.

EFP grants have allowed Pendleton students to visit local landmarks such as the Heritage Station Museum, the Pendleton Underground and the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. Farther afield, trips have been funded to the Portland Art Museum, OMSI, and High Desert Museum in Bend. At home, grants have been used to sponsor OMSI traveling programs and artist-in-residence programs.

Biology classes from Pendleton High School have studied marine biology at the Oregon coast since 1996, thanks, in part, to the support of EFP. Pendleton students have built mousetrap cars, planted a flower garden, visited with a NASA astronaut, participated in Lego League competition and studied moths at Emigrant Springs thanks, in part to grants from the EFP.

The EFP continues today as an independent public education foundation that works with school district personnel to promote quality education and provide a wide variety of educational experiences for Pendleton students. Grants are made in the fall and the spring following submission of teacher requests and presentations to the board.

“Hopefully, the foundation monies will continue to enrich our school district teachers, students and parents,” Julianne concluded.

The Education Foundation of Pendleton (EFP) has granted over $192,800 to the Pendleton School District since its inception in 1985.  The Foundation has granted an average of over $10,600 each of the last 3 years after averaging $6,500 per year prior to that. Historically, EFP has awarded grants fairly evenly among Pendleton’s elementary, middle, and high schools, depending upon the grant requests for the year.  Grant requests are submitted by teachers during two cycles, one in the fall and the other in spring of each academic year.

EFP is funded by tax-deductible donations, some of which have come from someone who has named the EFP in his or her will.  The largest donation to EFP was made in 2000 by Elsa Hagen, a longtime Pendleton educator.  In her will, Elsa left EFP $99,000.  Ms. Hagen’s generous donation enabled the Foundation to rise to an asset level that could be actively managed and diversified to maximize returns.  Ms. Hagen left no specific directions for how the funds were to be used, so the funds have been used to support academic experiences that are consistent with the mission of the EFP.

EFP also receives donations in honor of someone who has passed away.  A bequest on behalf of a longtime elementary teacher, Judith K. Irish Anderson, was made in 1996.  At the request of Ms. Anderson, this donation and subsequent giving made in her honor, have been used for projects that involve environmental studies and the arts.  This thoughtful bequest helped broaden the scope of the foundation in making grants to support science and mathematics as well.  In 2012 and 2013 Philip and Bobby Farley’s family also designated EFP to receive memorial donations in their honor.

EFP occasionally receives donations with a distinct purpose for their use.  In 2008, the John Struve Memorial Fund, a unique program managed by the Education Foundation, was established in memory of John Struve, a Pendleton High School graduate and avid supporter of high school sports.  The original donation of $10,000, coupled with numerous subsequent deposits, has been used to promote participation in sports among students that may not have been able to due to financial limitations. Items such as equipment, uniforms, insurance, training, and other sports-related fees are covered at the request of the athletic department and guidance counselors and upon review by EFP.

The Board is dedicated to its mission of providing funds through private contributions to complement the needs of the district beyond those resources normally provided by public funds.  In an effort to sustain giving for generations to come, the Board is equally committed to responsible financial management of the endowment which has grown to almost $350,000.  The Board works with investment professionals and meets regularly to discuss financial performance.  In 2009 the Board agreed to start an endowment in the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) with $50,000 of EFP’s assets;  another $15,000 was transferred to OCF in August, 2012.  This was done with the help and expertise of the OCF.  The Board feels confident that alignment with this reputable organization will be wise for the long-term return and sustainability of the EFP’s assets.