Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools

Together, we help students overcome barriers to health, learning, and success.

Every day, we ask: What’s possible when students come to school happy, healthy, and ready to learn? With your support, we work to answer that question by filling critical gaps left by limited district funding.

Through individual donations and community partnerships, we fund programs and grants that provide essential supports—like food, housing assistance, medical care, transportation, clothing, personal hygiene items, family engagement, and enrichment opportunities—to Vancouver Public Schools students and their families.

As nonprofit that is desiged to work in tandem with the school district, your contribution goes farther: $1 donated = $4.25 in resources and services provided to students and their families!

Where does your donation go?

Vancouver Public School serves over 22,000 students in 40 schools and programs. All funding raised targets one or more of these six key impact areas, and reaches every corner of the district:

• Basic Needs
• Enrichment, Engagement, and Mentoring
• Family and Community Engagement
• Social-Emotional Health and Well-being
• College and Career Readiness
• Early Learning and Special Education 

About us

The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools is an independent, 501(c)3 educational non-profit corporation established in 1988 by Dr. Jim Parsley, VPS Superintendent (1980 to 2002). Dr. Parsley saw what students came to school “without” and established the Foundation to help meet those needs.

Over half of VPS students qualify for free or reduced lunch and 1,400 students experienced homelessness during the last school year. Foundation for VPS helps students by addressing unmet basic needs and enriches the school experience for ALL students through learning enrichment, engagement programs, and mentoring opportunities.

This support comes through the generous donations from school employees, parents, students, community members and businesses. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of business, community and education leaders. The Foundation is committed to safety and social justice - through listening, strategic planning, and action - to ensure a more equitable and inclusive future for all students.