The STARS Foundation

Supporting the Teaching of Art, Reading, and Science

Founded in 1998, the STARS Foundation is committed to providing support for programs to enhance the educational experience of students at Edmonds Elementary. Since it’s inception, STARS has provided grants totaling more than $50,000 in equipment, materials, and events for the students at Edmonds Elementary.

A Little Bit of History

Nine years ago, Edmonds Elementary broke new ground with the establishment of the “ORCA”Strated Art Show. This program, designed to encourage art enrichment in our school, was funded through donations and raffles. At the same time, an equally dedicated group was working to enhance the science program. In the belief that any enriching program can benefit all our students, and with start up funding from the Art show raffle, the non-profit STARS Foundation was formed. A dinner-auction was chosen as a means to raise funds that would then be distributed through a twice-yearly grant process. The first auction was held in June 1999 and since then the foundation has raised more than $60,000 in these fundraisers. And in 2001, the STARS Foundation expanded our reach to past and present students by creating the Elizabeth Hodge Scholarship for alumni of Edmonds Elementary to support study in visual arts.

How We Fund

All of the funds raised goes to directly benefit students at Edmonds Elementary by allowing us to offer experiences above and beyond what the usual building budget would allow. Grant proposals are submitted twice yearly and this represents the bulk of our budget. For the last couple of years we have also raised money through a special Fund-A-Need event at the auction for special school wide programs that would not normally be fundable through our grant process. We have also begun awarding $500 scholarships annually through the creation of the Elizabeth Hodge Scholarship.

The STARS Foundation exists solely because of the dedication of volunteers, parents, and Edmonds Elementary Staff. If you would like to get involved send us an email at starsatee@yahoo.com