Our History

In 1983 the National Commission on Excellence in Education released the report A Nation At Risk: The Imperative For Educational Reform. The report stated that “…the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people." In the aftermath of the report, public school foundations began forming across the nation.

In Oklahoma City a steering committee of 13 citizens was selected by the Oklahoma City Public Schools administration and Board of Education to determine the feasibility of forming a collaboration designed to improve the quality of Oklahoma City Public Schools. As a result, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation was established in 1984.

The Foundation’s first chairman Ray Potts and its governing body of 22 trustees laid the groundwork for many of the Foundation’s lasting collaborations with the District. In 1985 the first Wall of Fame Humanitarian Awards Dinner was held as a fundraiser for public education. It was quickly followed in 1986 with the first Spring Honors Luncheon, now known as Stars of Education. What would become an annual event was held to honor outstanding educators, students and volunteers. It was this event where the Foundation's first grants were awarded.

By the 1990’s the Foundation’s role in creating a bridge between the community and the District was firmly established. The first student scholarships were awarded in 1993 and Partners in Education launched in 1994. These milestones were quickly followed by the introduction of the first TEAM campaign in 1995 and the debut of A+ Arts Spectacular! in 1998, which has led to many Arts in Education initiatives.

It was in the late 1990s that a diverse group of civic, business and community leaders formed Project KIDS (Keep Improving District Schools), led by local philanthropist Jean Gumerson and attorney Bruce Day. The committee led a massive education reform effort driven through a process of community involvement. A collaboration between the City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Board of Education and the Foundation, Project KIDS’ final report, Building a Learning City, gave specific recommendations for improving learning, facilities, fiscal responsibility, governance and developing and maintaining community involvement. MAPS for Kids (Metropolitan Area Public Schools) brought the funding necessary for capital improvements detailed in the Project KIDS report.

Today the Foundation continues to play a critical role connecting the resources of the community to the needs of the Oklahoma City Public Schools.