Public schools rely on community support to thrive. In the Kent School District, that support takes many forms—from financial donations to hours of volunteer time to spreading the word about what our students and teachers need.
The Kent Schools Foundation exists to channel that community generosity into meaningful impact. But we can only do it with your help.
Here are the most effective ways you can support education in the Kent School District.
Make a Financial Donation
The most direct way to support education in Kent is through a financial contribution to the Kent Schools Foundation. Every dollar goes toward classroom grants, teacher resources, and enrichment programs that the public school budget simply doesn't cover.
How to Donate
Online: The fastest way to donate is through the district's secure online payment portal. You can use a debit or credit card to make a one-time gift or set up recurring donations. Visit the Kent School District donation page and follow the prompts.
By check or cash: You can deliver or mail a check to any school office within the district. Make checks payable to the school you wish to support. Cash donations should be delivered in person to the school office during business hours.
For larger gifts: If you're considering a significant donation—anything above a threshold that varies by district policy and state law—complete the online Gift, Donation, Memorial Agreement form. Large gifts must be approved by the Kent School Board at a public meeting before they can be used. This ensures transparency and accountability for all donors and the community.
Why Financial Donations Matter
The Kent School District serves a diverse student population. About half of KSD students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Many families cannot contribute to school fundraisers the way families in wealthier districts can.
Financial donations bridge that gap. They fund reading programs for struggling students, science equipment for hands-on learning, musical instruments for the band, and field trips that open students' eyes to new possibilities.
A $25 donation buys books for a classroom library. A $100 donation funds art supplies for a semester. A $500 donation sends a class on a field trip to a science center. Every amount makes a difference.
Volunteer Your Time in Kent Schools
Money isn't the only way to make an impact. Your time and skills are just as valuable.
The Kent School District runs a volunteer program called VIPS—Volunteers in Public Schools. Through VIPS, community members are matched with schools and roles that fit their skills and availability.
What Volunteers Do
Volunteers in Kent School District schools wear many hats:
- Classroom helpers assist teachers with reading groups, math practice, and hands-on activities
- Library volunteers shelve books, organize materials, and help students find resources
- Mentors work one-on-one with students who need extra guidance and encouragement
- Event volunteers support school carnivals, family nights, and community events
- Art docents bring visual arts experiences to classrooms that would otherwise lack art programming
- Field trip chaperones ensure students have safe, enriching experiences outside the classroom
How to Become a Volunteer
The process is straightforward:
- Collect your information. You'll need a valid government-issued ID and basic contact information.
- Create a VIPS account. Visit the VIPS application portal at volunteer.kent.k12.wa.us and create an account.
- Complete the application. Provide your information, select the school(s) you'd like to volunteer at, and submit.
- Pass the background check. The district conducts a background screening on all volunteers. This takes about 10 business days.
- Complete school-specific training. Each school may require a brief orientation before you begin.
- Start volunteering. Once approved, you'll receive confirmation and can begin serving.
Returning volunteers need to renew their application annually by logging into their existing VIPS account, updating their information, and agreeing to the volunteer expectations.
The Impact of Volunteering
When volunteers commit to serving at a school, students achieve higher grades, have access to more opportunities, and gain community connections that help them thrive. The Kent School District emphasizes that volunteers are a vital component of the education process.
Kim Wells, a longtime volunteer in the district, has helped fund classroom grants for fidget tools, flexible seating, and other resources that teachers need but cannot afford. Stories like hers are common across KSD—ordinary community members doing extraordinary things for students.
Participate in Corporate Matching Gift Programs
One of the easiest ways to double your impact is through corporate matching gifts.
Many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company offers a matching gift program, your donation to the Kent Schools Foundation could be doubled or even tripled.
How to Check
- Contact your HR department or benefits administrator
- Ask whether your company matches donations to education foundations or K-12 public schools
- If yes, request a matching gift form or access the company's matching gift portal
- Make your donation to the Kent Schools Foundation, then submit the matching request
This costs you nothing extra. It takes about 10 minutes of your time. And it means twice as many resources for students in the Kent School District.
Donate School Supplies
Every fall, students across the Kent School District show up to classrooms that lack basic supplies. Pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and art materials are in short supply.
Fill the Bus Campaign
Communities In Schools of South King County runs an annual Fill the Bus school supply drive. All donations go directly to the 44 schools in the Kent School District for students who need them most.
You can participate by:
- Dropping off new school supplies at designated collection locations
- Making a monetary donation to purchase supplies in bulk
- Organizing a supply drive at your workplace, place of worship, or community group
School supply drives are especially impactful at the start of the school year, when the need is highest and families are stretched thin by back-to-school expenses.
Direct School Support
You can also contact a specific school in the Kent School District and ask what they need most. Many schools maintain wish lists of supplies that teachers purchase out of their own pockets. A direct donation of these items—even a small one—makes an immediate difference in a classroom.
Spread the Word
Most people do not know what a school foundation is or that one exists in their district. Simply sharing this information with other parents, neighbors, colleagues, and community members is one of the most effective things you can do.
How to Spread the Word
- Share on social media. Post about the Kent Schools Foundation and its impact. Include a link to the donation page.
- Tell your network. Mention the foundation at PTA meetings, neighborhood gatherings, and community events.
- Write a review. Share your experience as a donor or volunteer on platforms like Great Nonprofits or Google Reviews.
- Invite a speaker. Ask a foundation representative to speak at your workplace, community group, or place of worship.
- Forward this article. Send it to friends and family who care about education in South King County.
Awareness leads to action. The more people know about the Kent Schools Foundation, the more support we can bring to Kent School District students.
Attend School Board Meetings and Stay Informed
The Kent School Board meets publicly on a regular schedule. Attending these meetings keeps you informed about district priorities, funding challenges, and opportunities to support education.
When you understand the challenges the district faces, you can advocate more effectively for the resources students need. You can also identify gaps that the foundation can help fill.
Sign up for district communications, follow the Kent School District on social media, and attend board meetings when you can. An informed community is an empowered community.
Host a Fundraiser or Drive
You don't need to be a nonprofit professional to raise money for education in Kent. Community-led fundraisers and drives are welcome and impactful.
Ideas for Community Fundraisers
- Birthday fundraisers: Ask friends and family to donate to the Kent Schools Foundation instead of buying gifts
- Workplace giving campaigns: Organize a workplace fundraiser where colleagues pool donations
- School supply drives: Collect supplies at your office, gym, or place of worship
- Matching challenges: Offer to match donations up to a certain amount to incentivize others to give
- Benefit events: Host a bake sale, car wash, or silent auction with proceeds going to the foundation
If you're interested in organizing a fundraiser, contact the Kent Schools Foundation directly. We can provide materials, guidance, and support to help your effort succeed.
Become a Corporate Partner
Businesses in the Kent community have a unique opportunity to support local education while building goodwill and strengthening their workforce.
Corporate Partnership Options
- Sponsorship of foundation events and programs
- In-kind donations of goods or services
- Employee volunteer programs that release staff to volunteer during work hours
- Matching gift programs for employee donations
- Annual corporate giving partnerships
Corporate partners are recognized for their contributions and connected with the schools and students they support. It's a tangible way for businesses to invest in the future of their community.
The Collective Impact
No single donation or volunteer hour transforms the Kent School District alone. But collectively, the generosity of this community creates opportunities that would not otherwise exist.
The Kent Schools Foundation has awarded hundreds of grants totaling over a quarter-million dollars in recent years. Those grants have funded classroom libraries, science equipment, arts programs, and professional development for teachers. They have helped struggling readers catch up, aspiring artists find their voice, and curious students explore the world beyond their neighborhood.
Every supporter—whether you donate $25, volunteer for an hour, or share this article with a friend—is part of that impact.
Ready to support education in the Kent School District? Donate to the Kent Schools Foundation or sign up to volunteer through the VIPS program. Together, we can ensure every student in Kent has the resources they need to succeed.