Evansville Water & Light and WPPI Energy Support Evansville Education Foundation
The Evansville Education Foundation (EEF) received a generous donation from two long-time community
partners: Evansville Water & Light and WPPI Energy. The funds will help support educators with the
ability to bring innovative projects and classroom resources to Evansville students.
On September 3, EEF board members Kelly Seichter and JoMarie Oakeson accepted a combined donation
totaling $3,600. Of that amount, $600 was used to purchase strawberries for the 2025 Strawberry Shortcake
Festival that is sponsored by EEF, a popular annual event in Evansville. The remaining $3,000 will help
fund teacher Wish List grants for the 2025–2026 school year.
EEF is incredibly thankful for this generous support. These donations help bring our community together at
events like the Strawberry Festival and directly benefit our teachers and students in the classroom.
WPPI Energy is a not-for-profit, member-owned energy provider that supplies power to 51 locally owned
utilities across Wisconsin and has a strong history of community engagement. Evansville Water & Light,
the city-run utility since 1901, continues its tradition of community involvement. EEF wants to recognize
both organizations for their ongoing support and dedication to make a real difference in our schools and
city.
The Evansville Education Foundation continues to raise funds and support initiatives that enhance
educational opportunities for students and teachers throughout the Evansville Community School District.
EEF is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. As a non-profit, gifts to the foundation generally are tax
deductible, in accordance with IRS regulations. Learn more about EEF by visiting our website at
evansvilleeducationfoundation.org.
2025 Grant Recipients
On August 25, the Evansville Education Foundation (EEF) awarded over $7,500 in grants to local teachers
and staff during the annual ECSD Back to School breakfast. The grants will support a variety of innovative
projects, including a reading garden, flexible seating, geography puzzles, art materials for printmaking,
American Players Theater trip, student-centered Kindness Retreat, reading/language arts materials,
School Forest educational signs, and materials for the school Nature Center—demonstrating the
educators’ creativity and dedication to enhancing student learning. EEF Board Members Ryan Jayne and Kelly Seichter presented the certificates.
The Evansville Education Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting excellence in
education throughout the Evansville Community School District. While independent from the district, EEF
collaborates closely with the school district to identify funding needs to enrich programs that foster
innovation, creativity, and academic growth.
Learn more or support our mission at evansvilleeducationfoundation.org.
Evansville Education Foundation Supports Science Olympiad Success
The Evansville Education Foundation (EEF) is proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of the Evansville Community School District’s middle school Science Olympiad team! This year, EEF stepped in to support the team by contributing to their travel costs, enabling them to compete at the prestigious Science Olympiad competition held at UW-Stout.
The team’s journey was nothing short of spectacular. Fueled by teamwork, curiosity, and a love of science, the students demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication throughout the season. Their hard work paid off as they brought home six medals, including two first-place finishes in their events—a testament to their passion and preparation.
The success of the Science Olympiad team highlights the importance of community support in fostering educational excellence. By alleviating financial barriers, EEF ensures that all students have the opportunity to reach their potential and showcase their talents on a larger stage.
Congratulations to the middle school Science Olympiad team for an amazing season, and thank you to the Evansville community for making these opportunities possible through your generous support of EEF. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of our students!
Crash Pit Therapy for Students at ECSD!
The Evansville Community School District (ECSD) has enhanced its Occupational and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) program thanks to a $2,500 grant from The Wahlin Foundation, Inc., supplemented by the Evansville Education Foundation’s (EEF) Wish List grant. The funds were used to purchase vital therapy equipment, including a crash pit, slide, steps, and other tools to support students’ sensory integration, coordination, and motor skills development. On February 4, 2025, Betsy McClimon of The Wahlin Foundation visited the program at Theodore Robinson Intermediate School, witnessing firsthand the positive impact on students’ gross motor skills, balance, and agility. The crash pit and equipment will rotate to other ECSD schools, ensuring all students have access to these resources that foster mobility, independence, and overall quality of life. This project exemplifies the power of community support through non-profit organizations like EEF, which relies on volunteer efforts and donations to fund impactful educational initiatives.
EEF Receives Grant from Green Bay Packers Foundation
The Evansville Education Foundation (EEF) received a $5,000 grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation, announced during the annual awards ceremony at Lambeau Field Atrium on November 21, 2024. This grant will support the Wish List Program and the STEM Fund initiative for the Evansville Community School District during the 2024-2025 school year. The Wish List Program funds innovative educational materials and programs across various subjects, while the STEM Fund helps acquire costly supplies for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. EEF’s mission is to empower learning in Evansville schools by equipping teachers and staff with the tools to inspire students. Thank you to the Green Bay Packers Foundation for their commitment to our schools and students! #PackersGiveBack
2024 Homecoming 50/50 Raffle
This year’s Homecoming football game and pre-game activities helped us raise the most money EVER through a 50/50 raffle drawing! Congratulations to our winner Don Scanlon, who went home with $507! Thank you to everyone who bought tickets, donated, and stopped to ask us about our mission, the Evansville Education Foundation raised $1,013 to use for future educator wish list grants!
2024-2025 Grant Recipients
Congratulations to our 2024-2025 School Year Grant Recipients!
- Kate Burton – Pen Translators
- Michelle Klopp – Art Display Boards
- Jenny Maves – Crash Pit
Enhancing Art Displays with Community Support
The Evansville Education Foundation (EEF), in collaboration with Casey’s General Stores, is helping to enrich the arts experience for students in the Evansville Community School District. Mrs. Michelle Velasquez-Klopp, a K-2 art teacher at Levi Leonard Elementary, applied for a grant to purchase additional art panels. These panels will double the display space at the annual K-12 Student Art Show, held at Creekside Place in celebration of Youth Art Month. They will also provide expanded opportunities to showcase student artwork throughout the school year.
EEF received funds from the Blackbaud Giving Fund on behalf of Casey’s General Stores and its donors, which contributed to this project. Additionally, Mrs. Velasquez-Klopp secured a grant from EEF’s Wish List Grant Fund, covering most of the costs. The Evansville Community School District further supported the project by funding shipping costs for the panels.
This collaboration between educators, the EEF, and the community emphasizes the importance of supporting student creativity. The expanded art displays will undoubtedly enhance the much-loved Student Art Show, fostering an even greater appreciation for young artists in the Evansville Community
EHS Health Science Lab
The Evansville High School Health Science Lab, funded through a grant from the EEF, is complete and ready for students interested in pursuing studies in the health sciences! The new lab will be open for parents and students to tour during EHS Open House on October 9th, so make sure to stop in and see how your donations are put to use in our schools!
Evansville School Forest
The newly constructed sign, welcoming students and visitors to the School Forest, was partially funded through a grant from the Evansville Education Foundation and completed by Butch Beedle and the School Forest Committee. The School Forest is now a part of the Ice Age Trail, a National Scenic Trail stretching 1,200 miles across the state of Wisconsin.