Columbia Public Schools Foundation

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation (CPSF) is dedicated to the enrichment of public education through community giving. We believe that strong schools equal a strong community. Since our founding in 1996, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants for teachers and students at all Columbia Public Schools and the Career Center.

The Foundation's grants programs support innovation and academic excellence. Our district-wide grants provide funding to schools across the district, and in recent years have included: ESports gaming rooms at Battle, Hickman and Rock Bridge High Schools; digital media equipment for the Career Center; sound and lighting upgrades to the Planetarium; and Authors in the Schools, bringing author Alan Gratz to speak to middle school students and giving them each a copy of his book. Our New Educator Grant Program provides a $100 gift card to each new teacher at CPS, allowing them to purchase much-needed supplies for their classrooms. Our new Students First Fund grant program provides $6,000 grants to each school in the district on an annual basis.

This summer, CPSF announced a $50,000 donation to the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) Lunch for Learners fund to help pay off student lunch debt. We also challenged the community to raise an additional $25,000, and with the community's support, we raised an additional $25,000.

The Kathryn "Kay" McLeod Scholarship for Future Educators provides a $2,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior at each of the four CPS high schools who intends to pursue a career in education.

CPSF's tagline is Columbia Puts Students First. Thank you for joining us in investing in our students and teachers! For highlights of the Foundation's grants and programs, check out our video: