In 1985, while serving Oklahoma as a U.S. senator, our founder David L. Boren brought together a group of Oklahoma business and community leaders with the common goal of improving public education in the state. All agreed that private investment was crucial to the success of public schools. The result was the establishment of a statewide, nonprofit organization, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, with the mission of recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization supported solely by private contributions from donors like you.

Academic Awards Program – Launched in 1987

Through our flagship Academic Awards Program, the foundation presents $125,000 annually to honor outstanding public high school seniors as Academic All-Staters and exceptional educators as Medal for Excellence winners. The televised Academic Awards Banquet is the state’s most prestigious academic celebration saluting leading public school students and educators.

Oklahoma School Foundations Network (formerly Local Education Foundation Outreach) – Launched in 1989

Helping strengthen grassroots support for public schools, our Oklahoma School Foundations Network provides free training, resources and networking opportunities for new and established school foundations. The program has been instrumental in helping build one of the nation’s largest networks of education foundations, with more than 200 established to date. Together, these citizen nonprofits have raised millions of dollars to support academic excellence and have encouraged community involvement in their local schools.

Early American History Education Programs – Launched in 1993

We partner with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to bring American history to life and help develop tomorrow’s citizens. Our foundation awards fellowships for fifth- and eighth-grade Oklahoma teachers to attend the renowned Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute in Virginia. During the weeklong institute, teachers are immersed in 18th-century life through hands-on activities and reenactments of historic events. We also co-sponsor Colonial Day at the State Capitol, an exciting hands-on history education day for students, and promote the development of Colonial Day events statewide.

Teacher Professional Development – Launched 2003

Inspired by the success of the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, the foundation began offering grants in 2003 for Oklahoma teachers to attend national conferences in their chosen fields. Today, we partner with the national Fund for Teachers and the Tulsa Community Foundation to provide career-transforming Fund for Teachers grants for self-designed summer professional development opportunities around the world. In 2019-20, the foundation will launch the Teachers of English Learners Pilot Project, utilizing an online learning platform to support classroom teachers at schools with a high enrollment of English Learners.

Mentoring Initiative – Launched in 2006

Recognizing the proven impact of mentoring on student success, the foundation established its statewide Mentoring Initiative in 2006. The initiative promotes the growth and development of quality youth mentoring programs statewide, providing free consulting, program models and resources. We also celebrate the impact of mentoring by honoring outstanding volunteers at the annual Oklahoma Mentor Day.