Welcome to the District 181 Foundation Website.

This vehicle will provide you with specific information about our mission, accomplishments, programs, partnerships, and grant opportunities. It describes what we do to serve District 181 and offers you an opportunity to contribute or get involved.

The District 181 Foundation has more than an eight-year history of commitment and accomplishments in furthering the educational excellence of our students. This record is in no small part due to the generous support of our community members, parents, PTO & PTAs, the Administration, the Board of Education and Businesses around the area.

We have invested over $350,000 in science and technology initiatives, curriculum enhancements, reference materials and social/emotional learning programs. You will see in each area of this website, that the impact the Foundation makes on our students, staff, and community is significant. Our Board of Directors is an exceptionally dedicated group of individuals who generously share their time, talents, and beliefs to further expand upon on an already exemplary school district. It is a privilege and honor to serve as their president.

Remember the Foundation can only continue to be a source for creative initiatives and programs that benefit our children with the ongoing support of individuals like you. Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to working together to create an outstanding elementary school district that becomes the comparison point for others around the country.

The Elementary District 181 Foundation is an independent, community based non-profit corporation dedicated to supplementing and enriching the educational experience for students in District 181.

The Foundation strives to fulfill its mission to District 181 and the community by supporting initiatives which meet one or more of the following criteria:

In 1996, the Board of Education of District 181 directed a yearlong study to assess the feasibility of establishing a foundation for the school district. A committee of staff and citizens studied the issue and determined that a foundation was viable and could offer significant value to the district and community. District 181 Foundation was formally established in 1997 and incorporated in 1999 for the purpose of supporting initiatives that benefit students across District 181 which are not or can not be funded by tax revenues. The Foundation received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS as a charitable, non-for-profit organization. Since its inception, the District 181 Foundation has raised more than $350,000 in support of its mission and objectives.

The District 181 Foundation operates with its own by-laws and is governed by a board of directors separate and independent of the District 181 Board of Education.

The board of directors meets nine times during the year, with the executive committee meetings in advance of regularly scheduled board meetings. The full board also participates in an annual strategic retreat at the end of each school year.

Thanks to all of our supporters for helping the Foundation pursue its mission!