Snohomish Education Foundation

What Snohomish Education Foundation does

Snohomish Education Foundation (SEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Snohomish, Washington, that funds scholarships, classroom grants, trades support, and essential needs assistance for students of the Snohomish School District. The foundation operates six core programs: a Local Scholarship Program for graduating seniors pursuing college, technical training, apprenticeships, or trades pathways; Classroom Grants funding teacher-led innovation projects; the Trades Initiative supporting skilled-trades career preparation; the InnovateED Grant Program (launched June 2026 with foundry10) funding pedagogical innovation; Student Support Services addressing essential needs (shoes, clothing, supplies); and the Annual Fund supporting summer learning, credit recovery, and library operations. Since 1986, SEF has distributed over $3.29 million in scholarships to local students and more than $1.3 million in classroom grants, with the 2026 scholarship cycle awarding approximately $330,000 to 150 graduates and the 2025-2026 classroom/essential needs grants reaching a record $103,737.

SEF is the sole entity in the Snohomish community investing in district-wide student, teacher, and post-secondary support, operating as an exclusive partner to the Snohomish School District (which serves over 9,000 students). Revenue is generated entirely through donations and is diversified across five streams: individual donations (including a recurring "40 for 40" monthly giving program at $40/month), an annual fundraising auction (the 2024 auction raised $350,000 with 350 attendees; the 2025 auction raised over $460,000 with nearly 400 attendees), corporate sponsorships structured in three tiers (Bachelor, Associate, Graduate), endowment contributions enabling self-funding scholarships, and community events such as the annual Community Impact Lunch. The organization maintains a portfolio of 16+ named local business sponsors including Baker Tilly, Foster Garvey, Dykeman, Community Transit, Snohomish Storage, and Advanced Plumbing and Heating. Governance is provided by a volunteer Board of Trustees under Executive Director Erica Cenci, with committee leadership from Robin Stefanson (Scholarship Chair) and Sam Janke (Classroom Grant Committee Chair). Technology infrastructure is intentionally minimal, limited to a WordPress website (snoed.org), CharityProud donation platform, and Constant Contact email newsletter — no proprietary technology, software products, or AI capabilities are present.

Name

Snohomish Education Foundation

Legal name

Snohomish Education Foundation

Website

https://snoed.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Snohomish Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that funds scholarships, classroom grants, trades support, and essential needs assistance exclusively for students of the Snohomish School District in Washington state through community donations, an annual auction, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Foundation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Education foundation grants
• Student scholarship programs
• Classroom innovation grants
• Community education fundraising
• Nonprofit education support

Headquarters

HQ city

Snohomish

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from community members, families, and individuals supporting student education. Includes one-time and recurring monthly giving options.
2. Annual Auction Fundraising: Annual fundraising auction event generating significant revenue. 2024 auction raised $350,000; 2025 auction raised over $460,000 with record attendance.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships and event-specific sponsorships from local businesses including Bachelor Level ($1,000+), Associate Level, and Graduate Level sponsors with various recognition benefits.
4. Endowment Contributions: Endowments allowing scholarships to be self-funded through investment earnings, ensuring lasting impact for future students.
5. Community Events: Community Impact Lunch and other events providing engagement opportunities and additional fundraising channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Snohomish Education Foundation (SEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds scholarships, classroom grants, trades support, and essential needs assistance for students and educators in the Snohomish School District. It raises money through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, monthly giving programs, and an annual auction, then redistributes those funds via grant programs serving K-12 students, graduating seniors, and educators across the district.

Product overview

The Snohomish Education Foundation (SEF) offers a portfolio of educational support programs rather than a unified technology product. Core offerings include a Local Scholarship Program providing scholarships to graduates pursuing college, technical training, apprenticeships, or trades pathways; Classroom Grants funding teacher innovation projects; and the Trades Initiative (including Trades Fund Grants) supporting students entering skilled trades careers. Additional programs include Student Support Services and Essential Needs assistance, the Annual Fund Program, and district-wide enrichment funding for summer programs, libraries, and credit recovery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Local Scholarship Program Scholarship program providing financial support to graduates from Glacier Peak, Snohomish, and AIM High Schools pursuing college, technical training, certification programs, apprenticeships, and career pathways. In 2026, 150 students received nearly $330,000 in scholarships.
• Classroom Grants Grant program providing funding to Snohomish School District teachers for materials and experiences that enhance curriculum, spark innovation, and support hands-on learning. In 2025-2026, 126 of 140+ applications were funded.
• Trades Initiative (Trades Fund Grants) Initiative providing financial assistance for training, certifications, tools, equipment, and other expenses for students pursuing careers in skilled trades such as construction, automotive technology, welding, electrical work, plumbing, and cosmetology. In 2026, nearly $13,000 in Trades Fund Grants was awarded.
• InnovateED Grant Program Grant program developed in partnership with foundry10 to encourage creativity and new approaches to student learning by funding educators to pilot innovative ideas. Inaugural cycle awarded over $40,000 through 11 grants to 10 schools.
• Student Support Services / Essential Needs Program addressing essential needs of students including shoes, clothing, school supplies, and emergency support. A $225 donation provides five children with shoes.
• Summer Learning / Annual Fund Program Funding for summer learning programs including Elementary Summer Academy, literacy programs, summer library hours, and credit recovery opportunities. SEF has directed nearly $800,000 for K-12 year-round programs at all schools in the district since 1986.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $3.29 million in scholarships awarded since 1986
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• foundry10coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Education research organization partnering with SEF on the InnovateED Grant Program. Together they awarded over $40,000 through the inaugural InnovateED Grant Program to support innovative education. foundry10 helps expand access to innovative educational opportunities while supporting educators as they explore new approaches to teaching and learning.
• Kusler's Compounding PharmacyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 February 2025Local Snohomish pharmacy providing business sponsorship within the grant program. Through a partnership with Kusler's Compounding Pharmacy, SEF granted Valley View Middle School with a class set of Compound Digital Microscopes with 5M Cameras. Dawn Ipsen, Kusler's CEO and Pharmacist, serves on SEF Board of Trustees.
• Snohomish School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary strategic partner for all educational programs. SEF funds scholarships, classroom grants, district-wide programs, and summer learning initiatives in partnership with the district. Superintendent Dr. Kent Kultgen has recognized SEF's contributions as an incredible asset to students and community.
• Tulalip ResortminorOthersVenue partner for SEF's Annual Auction events, hosting the largest fundraising event of the year.
• Snohomish StorageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2025 Annual Auction, providing primary event sponsorship at the highest level.
• Advanced Plumbing and HeatingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2026 Community Impact Lunch celebrating SEF's 40th anniversary.
• Baker Tilly Moss AdamsminorOthersGraduate Level annual sponsor and accounting firm partner supporting SEF's financial operations.
• Foster GarveyminorOthersGraduate Level annual sponsor and law firm partner.
• DykemanminorOthersGraduate Level annual sponsor and architecture/design firm partner.
• Community TransitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGraduate Level annual sponsor and community partner.
• Everett Community College FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Level event sponsor and educational institution partner supporting students transitioning to higher education.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mukilteo Schools Foundation: Snohomish County-based education foundation funding classroom grants and scholarships for the Mukilteo School District. Operates with the same small-staff, community-event-driven model as SEF and competes for overlapping regional corporate sponsors.
• Renton Schools Foundation: Education foundation providing scholarships and classroom grants to Renton School District students and teachers. Similar district-anchored operating model with strong reliance on local business sponsorships and signature fundraising events.
• Bellevue Schools Foundation: Washington-state education foundation raising funds and awarding classroom grants and scholarships for the Bellevue School District. Most directly comparable to SEF in structure (single-district, community-funded, scholarship + classroom grant portfolio) and Pacific Northwest market context.
• Tahoma Schools Foundation: Washington-state education foundation serving the Tahoma School District via scholarships, classroom grants, and family assistance. Comparable in program design and donor cultivation approach to SEF.
• Puyallup Schools Foundation: Foundation supporting the Puyallup School District with scholarships, classroom grants, and essential needs programs. Comparable scope of programs and community-led fundraising approach.
• Lake Washington Schools Foundation: Foundation supporting Lake Washington School District students via scholarships, classroom innovation grants, and basic-needs programs. Comparable in program mix (post-secondary scholarships plus classroom innovation funding) and reliance on community and corporate donors.
• Issaquah Schools Foundation: Education foundation serving the Issaquah School District with classroom grants, scholarships, and family support programs. Closely mirrors SEF's model of district-restricted grantmaking, community-event fundraising, and partnership with local employers.
• Edmonds School District Foundation: Neighboring Snohomish County education foundation serving the Edmonds School District with scholarships, teacher grants, and student support. Directly comparable given shared regional donor pool and similar single-district scope.

Broad incumbents

• DonorsChoose: National nonprofit platform enabling public school teachers to post classroom project funding requests. Broader incumbent alternative to district-specific foundations like SEF; relevant for benchmarking digital classroom-grant distribution and donor reach.
• AdoptAClassroom.org: National nonprofit that distributes classroom funding directly to teachers and schools. Comparable in mission (channeling donor funds to classroom-level educational resources) but operates nationally and digitally, in contrast to SEF's hyperlocal, event-driven model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/snohomish-education-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Snohomish Education Foundation