The Oneida Education Foundation will be sending out Donation Forms soon as part of its annual Mail-a-thon.  As the OEF’s primary fund-raiser, the Mail-a-Thon took the place of the annual Telethon when cell phones replaced landlines, making phone numbers difficult to find.

Benefits of Donating to OEF

The OEF is a nonprofit organization and so provides tax benefits for donors. Those benefits include the special Idaho education tax deduction. To qualify for this deduction, taxpayers must donate through an established education foundation; the OEF is such an organization.

All donations to the OEF go where the donor designates. When you receive your OEF Donation Form, please look at the list of endowed and general funds to determine where you would like your donation to go.  If you have any questions, contact any member of the OEF Board. 

History and Purpose of OEF

Founded in 1988, the purpose of the OEF is to encourage business and community involvement in the four brick-and-mortar schools in Oneida School District and to seek supplemental resources to assure SUCCESS FOR EVERY STUDENT enrolled in and physically attending schools in the District. The family of William H. and Cecelia D. Rutter donated $20,000 to begin the OEF’s efforts to award grants to teachers and scholarships to graduates of Malad High School.

To that end, the OEF awards teacher grants for classroom and curriculum supplies, materials, and equipment; last year the OEF awarded over $6000 to Oneida County teachers. Some of the teacher grants were for library books, supplies for band instruments, maps, and various reward programs, including “Armored for Excellence” at Malad Middle School.

The OEF also awards $1000 scholarships to graduates of Malad High School; the majority of scholarships are funded by endowed funds in memory of family members, friends, teachers, and classmates who have passed away.  Last year the OEF awarded scholarships to 32 students; the total value of the scholarships was $35,500 with only $2800 coming from the OEF’s general fund.

Organization of OEF

The OEF has 55 endowed funds. Once a fund reaches $1000, it is invested in mutual funds through Edward Jones Investments with Erik Knutsen as broker. 

The OEF Board is comprised of 13 volunteer members, the majority of whom are community representatives. Every school has a representative to the Board, and two high school student representatives provide insight to the needs of students.  The OEF functions independently of the Oneida School Board and District while cooperating with school officials to provide grants to teachers and scholarships to graduating seniors.

If you do not receive a Donation Form in the mail but would like to donate, just send your check to the OEF mailbox at Malad Elementary School at 250 West 400 North, Malad City, ID 83252.

More information about the OEF, including a list of Board members, its Annual Reports, and a QR Code for online donations, can be found on the OEF website: 
www.oneidaeducationfoundation.org.