Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation Update
The Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation (TPSF) is excited to announce that 2025 grant applications are now open! Teachers across the district are invited to apply, and we cannot wait to see the creative and meaningful ideas you will bring forward to benefit your students. These grants are designed to provide resources, materials, and opportunities that go above and beyond what regular budgets can support. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 20th, so mark your calendar!
TPSF is able to provide these grants only because of the tremendous generosity of our community. Individuals, families, and businesses throughout Tahlequah contribute in a variety of ways—through donations, fundraisers, payroll deductions, and sponsorships—all of which directly impact classrooms.
Recently, the Tahlequah High School Class of 1975 celebrated a milestone—their 50-year reunion. As part of their celebration, they turned the occasion into a moment of giving back. With the help of Vision Weavers Consulting, Sunshine Nursery, Tahlequah UPS, Newk’s Eatery, and Lowry’s Furniture, the class organized a fundraiser that raised over $4,000. Instead of keeping the funds within their class project, they made the generous decision to donate all proceeds to the Foundation. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to ensuring that today’s students receive the same kind of strong educational experience that shaped their lives decades ago.
In August, TPSF proudly participated in the TPS District Opening Meeting, a special annual event that sets the tone for a new school year. During the meeting, we had the chance to recognize teachers, share stories of past grant successes, and highlight current classroom needs. The event also gave us the opportunity to invite more teachers and staff to support TPSF through payroll deduction—and we’re excited to share that contributions from employees increased this year! This growth means even more grant opportunities and greater impact in classrooms.
Following the meeting, TPSF had the privilege of providing Vidalia’s lunch for staff at every school site as a way to celebrate their return to classrooms. This was made possible through the kindness of our event sponsors:
American Fidelity, Cheer It Up, Keys Eye Care, Statewide Cleaning, Local Bank, Tahlequah Family Vision, Dotson Vision Care, 2 Sisters Financial, Armstrong Bank and Countryside Wellness Chiropractic
We want to give each of these businesses a heartfelt thank you for standing beside our schools. Their support not only made the event a success but also reminded our teachers how valued and appreciated they are.
As we look ahead, TPSF board members and trustees are hard at work preparing for the grant review season and organizing exciting new fundraising events for this fall. Every fundraiser we host and every donation we receive brings us closer to equipping our teachers with the tools they need to create engaging, hands-on learning environments for students. We are also already planning for next year’s Opening Meeting, striving to make it even more impactful, encouraging, and celebratory for our educators.
TPSF is more than just an organization, it’s a community movement. When donors give, when volunteers help, when businesses sponsor, and when teachers dream big through grants, the result is a stronger, more vibrant learning environment for every student in Tahlequah.
We invite you to be part of this mission. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, serving as a board member, sponsoring an event, or simply making a donation, your involvement will make a lasting difference. Together, we can continue to uplift our schools and give our teachers and students the opportunities they deserve.
Get connected with TPSF:
Follow us on Facebook: Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation
Visit our website:
Email us: tpsfoundation@gmail.com
Thank you, Tahlequah, for believing in the power of education and for helping us strengthen the future of our community one classroom at a time.
Written by Brittany Williams, Tahlequah Public Schools Foundation Member