Sort By Year:
New Educator Grants 2026
Each new educator at the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) received a $100 gift card to use as they need to help establish their classroom. In total, the Foundation is expected to give out about 225 gift cards to new educators, or about $22,500.
$22,500
New Educator Grants 2025
Each new educator at the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) received a $100 gift card to use as they need to help establish their classroom. In total, the Foundation is expected to give out about 200 gift cards to new educators, or about $20,000.
$20,000
Lunch for Learners
CPSF donated $50,000 to the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Lunch for Learners fund to help pay off student lunch debt. The Lunch for Learners fund was started in 2010 by then-Superintendent and current Interim Superintendent Chris Belcher and Laina Fullum, director of Nutrition Services, with a $5,000 donation from Heart of Missouri United Way. The fund was created to assist families who don’t qualify for free or reduced-price lunch but need additional support because of temporary circumstances. The Foundation is also challenging the community to donate $50,000 to assist in paying off the debt.
$50,000
New Educator Grants 2024
Each new educator at the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) received a $100 gift card to use as they need to help establish their classroom. In total, the Foundation is expected to give out about 300 gift cards to new educators, or about $30,000. Thanks to our partnership with Central Bank of Boone County, the gift cards have zero fees, which means the teachers will receive the full $100 to spend on setting up their classrooms and buying any needed supplies.
$30,000
New Educator Grants
Each new educator at the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) received a $100 gift card to use as they need to help establish their classroom. In total, the Foundation is expected to give out about 300 gift cards to new educators, or about $30,000. Thanks to our partnership with Central Bank of Boone County, the gift cards have zero fees, which means the teachers will receive the full $100 to spend on setting up their classrooms and buying any needed supplies.
$30,000
Boone County Nature School
CPSF funded $100,000 for the Boone County Nature School, the largest single donation in its 25-year history. The Foundation’s funds will be used for furniture and equipment for the classrooms and lab space at the new nature school. A native Missouri dogwood tree was also dedicated as part of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration. The Boone County Nature School is a partnership between CPS and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The school’s goal is to give students from all Boone County schools the opportunity to engage in place-based learning.
Grant Funds Requested: $100,000
$2,500 to each CPS school to celebrate 25 years
CPSF celebrated its 25th anniversary by awarding each Columbia Public School (CPS) with a $2,500 grant. The Foundation visited all CPS elementary, middle and high school buildings throughout the month of April to award the funds. The funds come directly from the Kay McLeod donation, a $1 million donation from the estate of Kay McLeod. McLeod was a lifelong public school teacher who began her career with the Columbia Public Schools. Funds are to be used in keeping with the Foundation’s mission to enhance and enrich public education.
100,000 Masks for Students
CPSF donated $14,000 to support the purchase of child-sized disposable masks for students at Columbia Public Schools (CPS). The donation allowed the district to purchase 100,000 child-size masks for students. The masks were distributed to CPS buildings by the district.
Grant Funds Requested: $14,000
Flu shot clinics
CPSF worked to keep our students and community healthy by providing a $14,250 grant to the Columbia Public Schools to provide free flu shot vaccines to CPS students. During October, flu vaccines were available free of charge to all students in grades pre-k through 12. Students and families were notified by their home school when the vaccination clinics would take place.
Grant Funds Requested: $14,250
Kits for Kids
CPSF donated $70,000 as part of its Kits for Kids campaign to provide school supplies for elementary students at CPS. In 2020, because of the pandemic, each elementary family was responsible for purchasing a pre-packaged school supply kit for their students. For some families, this price was out of reach. The Foundation pledged $25,000 and asked donors to raise an additional $25,000 to offset the cost. In total, the Foundation raised $45,000 from donors and sponsors.
Grant Funds Requested: $25,000 (*$61,675 donated)