WILSONVILLE – In January 2012 the OSAA Foundation reached its initial goal of obtaining $1 million in assets.  The member schools of the OSAA voted to create a Foundation in 2005 to help solidify the future of Oregon High School Activities. Since then, the OSAA Foundation has grown into a profitable 501(c)3 with an emphasis on providing  assistance to member school through new programs that are not available through the annual Association budget.

By the end of the 2011-12 school year the OSAA Foundation will have expended more than $175,000 in merchandise and financial support for programs such as anti-hazing DVD’s, Atlas & Athena steroid education training, student assistance program, concussion education and management, and automated external defibrillators for OSAA championship events.

The OSAA Foundation has made great strides in fundraising through Endowment Games where member schools may play an extra game in each sport with half of the proceeds from the gate going directly to the Foundation.  Since 2009, greater changes have been made in providing additional resources for the Student Assistance Program.

“We are very proud of the success of our Foundation in such a short period of time,” said OSAA Foundation President, Tom Welter.  “We look forward to working closely with the OSAA Foundation Board and our investment partner to get the most out of the current Foundation funds.”

In 2010, the OSAA Foundation teamed up with the U.S. Bank Charitable Services Group to oversee the OSAA Foundation investments.  The Foundation has seen major gains in net asset worth since this relationship began.

The OSAA Foundation would like to especially thank the more than 270 member schools that have participated in an Endowment Game since 2005.  It also thanks those who have privately donated and believe in the goals and future of the Foundation.  Finally, without the support of The Oregon Sports Authority Foundation, Nike, Multnomah Athletic Club Foundation, Dicks Sporting Goods and the Safeway Foundation, the Student Assistance Program would not be as influential in the lives of needy students around the state as it is today.  In the last three years alone, the program has reached nearly 2,000 students in all corners of the state.

Tom Welter concluded by saying, “This achievement is a great accomplishment and deserves to be celebrated, but our work has only begun.  With school budgets continuing to shrink, the emphasis upon additional resources for education, safety and the general enhancement of our current and future programs is vital.” 

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