History:  

The Educational Foundation for Columbia Schools was started in 1983 by a group of community leaders who wanted to establish a long-term organization to benefit the Columbia School District.  The goal was to raise funds from the private sector to enhance and support ideas and unmet educational needs throughout the school district.

Scholarships:  

A man named Richard Steinhoff asked in 1988 if the Foundation would award a scholarship funded by him in memory of his mother.  The by-laws were changed to allow the distribution of scholarship funds and a major outreach began.   There are now 11 family scholarships with the money coming either from particular families in memory of loved ones or from ongoing memorial funds established through donations at the time of a death.  Educational Foundation for Columbia Schools funding comes from money earned through the annual golf outing.

Columbia Education Foundation Board Members