Issaquah Schools Foundation recently announced its All in for Kids annual campaign, which raises funds for programs that support more than 21,000 students in the Issaquah School District’s 24 schools.

This year marks the 32nd year that the foundation has supported students through programs that give them opportunities to explore and cultivate their interests, thrive academically and graduate with the skills they need for rewarding and productive futures. Donations to All in for Kids are accepted at isfdn.org.

Donations to the foundation support the communities of Issaquah, Bellevue, Sammamish, Newcastle and Renton. The foundation funds programs such as: STEM, math and robotics clubs, after-school homework help, art instruction, social and emotional support, mentoring, food aid, including free breakfast and snack programs, band, choir and orchestra.

“Issaquah Schools Foundation raises funds to help students discover the ‘spark’ that ignites their passion to learn and opens doors to opportunities,” said Liz Swanson, executive director, in a press release. “We know that students who are engaged in school — and connected and surrounded by teachers, mentors and classmates who care about them — are more likely to exhibit leadership, value diversity and seek to resolve conflicts in a positive manner. Through gifts to the foundation, our community is funding programs that make a difference.”

During the 2017-18 school year, the foundation provided more than $1 million in funding to ISD through support of more than 35 programs. The foundation also awarded 12 classroom grants and nine Kateri Brow grants for innovation in education to individual schools.

According to the release, the impacts of donations were experienced in myriad ways, including more than 17,000 free breakfasts, snacks and lunches provided to elementary and middle school students. In addition, $24,000 in grants was awarded to the district’s four high schools to enrich learning opportunities for students in STEM-related fields, more than 800 free backpacks filled with school supplies were provided to families in need of financial support. Cultural Bridges Family Guide was published in Chinese (Mandarin), English, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese editions to encourage families to become more engaged in schools. More than 500 volunteer art docents received professional training and lesson plans to support their work teaching art in elementary schools, $55,000 in grants were awarded for innovation in education for programs and equipment ranging from horticulture and healthy living choices to tools for interactive physics classes.

To learn more about the work of the Foundation, visit isfdn.org.