About

The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching education for students in the Elkhorn Public Schools District. Our mission is to promote student achievement and the unity of our community and its public schools by encouraging, supporting, and recognizing excellence in innovative education, quality school programs, and civic involvement.

With your support, the Foundation invested over $930,000 in programs to help students, teachers, and schools during the 2022-2023 school year!

A pie graph titled "2022-2023 Final Program Spending" with the following breakdown: 1% Honors Recognition, 3% Scoreboard, 4% Brain Pop Software Licenses, 4% author visits, 4% teacher tuition, 4% AP tests, 5% Math & Reading Intervention, 19% Classroom grants, kids in need, & other, and 56% ACHIEVE & Community Funded Scholarships

History of the Foundation

The Foundation was incorporated and granted a charitable institution status 501(c)(3) by the IRS in 1983. During that time, the Elkhorn Public Schools District was faced with a two-pronged financial dilemma– It had one of the highest property tax levies in the state and was receiving dwindling state aid. In addition, the Douglas County economy was reeling from low farm prices, high interest rates, and little new industry. Thus, supporting the public schools was not the highest priority. The initial Board of Directors had the foresight to start The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation and help continue to support the school District if state aid could not suffice. That founding group consisted of Robert (Scoop) McArdle, Susan Gregory, James Moore, John Housley, Larry Miller, Susan Hardisty and Carl White.

Growing the Foundation

Growth has been evident in all aspects of the Foundation. In 1997, the Foundation assumed the operation of the Before and After-School Care program. At that time, 85 children were served. Today, over 1,000 total children receive quality care at each of our 12 elementary schools. Elkhorn Kids Campus employs over 130 people, primarily high school students in the District.

As much as the Foundation has grown, more work must be done to keep pace with the growing school District enrollment. In 2017, The Foundation commenced construction of its current office building. The new facility has provided much needed office space and will accommodate projected needs for additional growth. The lower level features a community space named The Elkhorn Alumni Center. It is available to rent for community events such as workshops, conferences, holiday get-togethers, alumni gatherings, graduations and more!

We continue to collaborate with the District to identify new opportunities to support Elkhorn Public Schools’ students and staff. With the generous support of our donors the Foundation is positioned to meet the needs of our growing District.