Great Things Happen When Caring Women Gather
Why is additional support needed for Olathe students?
As our tax-supported Olathe Public Schools budget is stretched thin to meet the needs of our growing school district, innovative programs that make the difference between adequate and excellent are often left out of the equation.
Why a Women’s Giving Circle
- Women create new solutions to problems; they are entrepreneurial through their philanthropy
- Women change things for the better; they make a difference
- Women connect with the human face their gift affects; they build partnerships with people who can impact the project they fund
- Women collaborate with others – often other women – as part of a larger effort; they seek to avoid duplication, competition and waste
- Women celebrate – have fun together; celebrate their accomplishments; enjoy the deeper meaning and satisfaction of their philanthropy
Fall - Student Need
Olathe educators have been asked to identify a challenge/problem impacting student achievement, and submit a grant proposal stating how they would address that challenge/problem utilizing resources funded with a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle. Grant proposals submitted for the Fall cycle will specifically address challenges/problems faced by students in need. The winning proposal will be awarded a $10,000 grant.
Spring - Innovation
The Spring cycle of the Women’s Giving Circle will request grant proposals from Olathe teachers who have innovative solutions to challenges/problems impacting student achievement. While these grants will not target students in need, grants are welcomed from any school in the Olathe district. The winning proposal will be awarded a $15,000 grant.
Examples of challenges
• maximizing instruction with iPads
• low number of Latinos pursuing degrees in technology-based fields
• student struggles with health and wellness issues
• equipment needed to prepare students for advanced coursework in 21st Century programs or for career/technical education programs
• lack of access to the arts or sports for students from low-income communities
How This Works
The Olathe Public Schools Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle meets each spring and fall. Members donate $100 prior to each gathering, and their resources are pooled to provide a grant to an Olathe educator who has a solution to overcome an obstacle to learning. At each gathering, members hear three proposals, narrowed down from those received from around the district. Members vote that evening to provide $10,000 - $15,000 to fund one of the projects. 100% of each member’s gift is put towards funding grants.
Sustaining Members
Sustaining Members are the foundation of the OPSF’s Women’s Giving Circle. Sustaining Members opt for recurring payments for their membership prior to each gathering, through invoicing or auto-pay, regardless of their ability to attend.
Over 100 members have chosen to be Sustaining Members of our circle. These members ensure that the Women’s Giving Circle will grant out at least $10,000 per cycle. Sustaining Members who cannot attend our events are sent the three proposals prior to the gathering and can remote vote for their favorite grant proposal.
For more information about becoming a Sustaining Member, contact the Olathe Public Schools Foundation at (913) 780-8222 or foundation@olatheschools.org.
Past Projects
Equipment for Technology Education
A $15,000 investment, which positively impacted the Technology Education Departments at Olathe South High School, was made via the Spring 2017 cycle of the Women’s Giving Circle. The grant helped update the way educators teach and build with the addition of a CNC router. This new technology will help prepare students for 21st century jobs ensuring the skills they learn are current and relevant in the changing workforce.
Bilingual Library
A $10,000 Women’s Giving Circle grant, awarded in Spring 2016, provided a new bilingual library at Westview Elementary. This grant helped the school increase its collection of bilingual books, made “quick read” bilingual books available to students before school, and provided resources for students participating in the Spanish Literacy Club. This will help boost student vocabulary and increase time spent reading individually and as a family.
Ways to Give
- Online at www.olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org
- By mail at OPSF, 300 E. Loula, Olathe, KS 66061
- Matching/Challenge Gifts: Does your workplace match your non-profit donations? We welcome matching or challenge gifts that would increase the pool of funds available to fund grants by OPSF Women’s Giving Circle members.
- Tribute Gifts: If donors would like to make their gift in honor of an individual, we will acknowledge their gift to that person or to the family of that person in the case of a memorial gift.
For more information call (913) 780-8222 or email foundation@olatheschools.org.