About the Foundation
It is the Mission of the Foundation to secure resources, raise funds and foster community support for educational enhancements and innovative programs that provide all students within the Kentwood Public Schools the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Kentwood Public Schools Educational Foundation (KPSEF) was established in 1980 to support local schools by funding the "extras" that enhance student learning. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit licensed by the State of Michigan to solicit tax-deductible donations, KPSEF exists for one purpose: investing in the future of students within the Kentwood Public Schools community.
Until 2025, KPSEF was run entirely by volunteers dedicated to one mission: helping make educational excellence possible in Kentwood Public Schools.
In 1992, the Foundation expanded its work to include facilitating sponsored scholarships for graduating seniors — a program that grew alongside its grant-making efforts over the following decades. Through May 2015, KPSEF had funded or facilitated more than $160,000 in scholarships. While the Foundation now concentrates its scholarship efforts on current students, it continues to administer several legacy and memorial scholarships that help graduates pursue further education and training.
Over the years, KPSEF's grant program has grown into one of its most significant contributions to the district. More than 200 employees and programs have received grants totaling over $400,000 since the Foundation's inception. Since 2012 alone, KPSEF has distributed more than $260,000, funding innovative programs, facilities, and resources that give Kentwood's teachers and students opportunities the school district's budget can't otherwise provide.
Today, nearly four decades after its founding, KPSEF remains true to its original purpose — encouraging innovation in the classroom and giving every Kentwood student the chance to thrive.