Steve Greif, representing the North Bend School Foundation, told the North Bend School District 13 board on Oct. 15 that the foundation awarded $12,842 in grants to district staff this year and continued a long-running scholarship and grant program that has funneled funding directly to students and teachers.

"The good news is $12,842 went into the district this year," Greif said. He also told the board, "So altogether in for the last 10 years, a $174,000 has come to kids in this district directly," describing a mix of classroom materials, trips and support for students in need.

The foundation solicits grant applications from staff at all grade levels and usually funds projects that are not in the district budget, Greif said. Examples he cited included manga sections for the high school library, a new sousaphone for the marching program, ceramics projects intended for public display, hydroponic grow towers for science instruction, reaction training lights and heart-rate monitoring bands for physical education, adjustable desks for special education classrooms and field trips that allow special education students to learn practical community skills.

Greif said the foundation typically receives about 15 requests, funds many proposals in full or in part, and sometimes asks teachers to report back midyear before releasing further funds. He said the foundation coordinates with district leadership and the superintendent when a request overlaps with district curriculum or should be funded from district resources.

Greif listed foundation leadership and volunteers — including longtime chair Don Thompson and treasurer Kathy Rose — and described recent fundraising efforts, including a donor-supported dinner and sales of a local history book he wrote to support the foundation. He said the foundation is a 501(c)(3) and provides a web address (nbschooldistrict.org) for donors.

Greif asked the board to expect continued outreach to district staff and said foundation representatives plan to meet with district administration in July to review grant applications for the next school year.

Board materials and Greif’s remarks showed the foundation’s grants focused on small, targeted purchases and enrichment activities rather than recurring staffing costs.