Bainbridge Schools Foundation recently presented a check for $500,000 to the Bainbridge Island School Board to support programs throughout the district’s seven schools this year.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a community that values education and supports the goals of our school district,” said foundation director Vicky Marsing. “Our donors and our sponsors have given generously, allowing us to make this gift of $500,000 to support our children’s’ education this year.”

The foundation has set a goal of raising $1 million in pledges for the school district this year, which will fill the deepening deficit in educational funding provided by the state.

The $500,000 in funds raised so far came from the foundation’s fall Clickathon Campaign, the spring “Dollar a Day” Campaign and its annual auction, which was held in February and attended by more than 300 members of the school community.

The money raised will pay for teacher salaries, teacher training, classroom grants, remedial reading assistance, special education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) enrichment.

The foundation works to support the school district’s vision and mission and raises funds, gathers resources and acts as a catalyst to involve the community in public education. The nonprofit’s goal is to help bridge the gap between what the district receives to fund education and what it needs to adequately fund its programs to achieve educational excellence.

For more information, or to make a donation, go to www.bainbridgeschoolsfoundation.com online or call Marsing at 206-855-0530.