Friends of OSD - FOSD

Enhancing the educational experience for OSD students.

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Get Involved

Art Sale for FOSD
Art Sale for FOSD

The Oregon School for the Deaf is a unique education community, the heart of deaf culture and the center of activities for the Deaf in Oregon. Alumni and former staff maintain close ties with the school. For many years there has been an effort to reach out to the larger community in which the school exists in order to strengthen the school and its mission.
Friends of OSD is dedicated to enriching the school’s educational experiences, fostering new relationships between school and community partners and increasing the understanding of and support for OSD. We invite you to get involved in one or more of several ways.

Volunteer for the Friends of OSD Board of Directors

Friends of OSD has an all-volunteer working board. We are continuing to develop a well-rounded board by recruiting directors with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings and participate in the work of building a strong and effective nonprofit. If you are interested in applying to become an FOSD board member, please review this detailed document regarding board member responsibilities Board Member Position Description, complete and submit an online application.

Volunteer for a Friends of OSD Project

Friends of OSD will be working on a variety of projects that are designed to support OSD’s programs, including fundraising activities for the work of the nonprofit. If you are interested in learning more about our current projects for which you might volunteer, please contact the FOSD Board President to discuss these opportunities.

Volunteer at OSD

Interested community members may have attended an OSD graduation, a play, or one of many sports events over the years. Others may not have been on campus for a while. You may wonder what is currently happening on campus and how you might volunteer to help students and/or staff at school sponsored functions. For more information about activities at OSD and related volunteer opportunities connect to OSD’s website.
For more information about volunteering at OSD you may contact Dr. Sharla Jones, Educational Support Supervisor/Community Relations, Oregon School for the Deaf [email protected] .

Our Mission

IMG_2702The FOSD mission and purpose is to support the enhancement of programs and services for students at OSD beyond the State’s funding responsibility*. The FOSD Board has identified four initiatives for which awards may be granted:  education, cultural activities, innovative programs and minor capital improvement projects.

Founded by a small group of dedicated people in 2006, FOSD was established to support the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD).  From that beginning, 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 the Oregon School for the Deaf (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.

Donate to FOSD

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