Friends of OSD - FOSD

Enhancing the educational experience for OSD students.

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Award Initiatives

Awards are given in four different initiative areas:

  • Education
    Projects that enhance the education of students who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families.  Examples might include:  participation in Academic Bowl; Space Camp; driver permit tutoring; Family Learning Program.
  • Cultural Activities
    Projects that relate to deaf culture and/or the arts.  Examples might include: ASL classes; artist-in-residence; special speakers who are deaf, such as participants in the Middle School LIFE program.
  • Innovative Programs
    Projects that incorporate new learning methods or experiences.  Examples might include:  participating in robotics and micro-lending experiments; new skills programs/equipment for special needs students; school wide positive behavior reinforcement program.
  • Minor Capital Improvement Projects
    Minor projects that upgrade portions of dated facilities and which are not mandated State responsibilities.  One example might be assisting in cost and installation of a pool lift.

The Issue of Supplanting State Funds

The FOSD Board favors funding requests for projects which are not clearly the budgetary responsibility of the Oregon Department of Education (examples: textbooks, building maintenance, classroom supplies, etc.). If you are uncertain as to whether your award proposal presents such a supplanting situation, please contact the FOSD Board President for guidance.

Our Mission

IMG_2702 The FOSD mission and purpose is to support the enhancement of programs and services for students at OSD (Oregon School for the Deaf) beyond the State’s funding responsibility* by enriching the educational opportunities for students, by sponsoring cultural activities, by encouraging innovative programs, and by financially supporting minor capital improvements.

Founded by a small group of dedicated people in 2006,  Friends of OSD has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors.  In 2014, FOSD created an Advisory Council of 15 members.

The Friends of OSD Strategic Plan provides direction as the nonprofit continues to expand.  We are proud to say that 95% of all grants and donations go directly to programs that benefit students.

*The State of Oregon is responsible for operating programs and services for the students at OSD.  Federal case law establishes the expectation that special education services provided by a school be reasonably designed to ensure students make progress.  Friends of OSD will not replace or supplant the responsibilities of the State.

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