What is our purpose?

Our Mission

The purpose of the Great Oaks Education Foundation is to expand access to quality career-technical programs and services for youth and adults and to enhance community awareness.

Our Beginnings

In 1999, the Great Oaks Education Foundation was created as a non-profit organization with a board primarily composed of former Great Oaks Board of Education members.  To define purpose and establish direction, the Board hired a consulting firm in 2000.  This resulted in defining a mission, structure, goals and taking on the role of the Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee from the Board of Education.

Until recently, most of the funding went to scholarships for graduating seniors and financial assistance to students to defray the cost of career programs.  Since 2009, the primary source of funding has been an annual golf outing, as well as five endowed scholarships.

The Great Oaks Education Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) federally recognized not-for-profit corporation, provides scholarships and support for students who attend Great Oaks Career Campuses.

Today

In 2014, a group of supporters came together and evaluated the purpose of the Foundation.  While understanding that continuing education and scholarships are important to Great Oaks graduates, the group decided that a more critical need was to help students address the barriers that were keeping them from graduating and continuing their careers.  With this change in direction, projects and money are now directed at addressing these crises in student lives.

Our Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees represents the diversity of the Great Oaks District.  We have representatives from campuses, former board members, business and the community.