About Us

Impact on Education is the foundation supporting 28,000 students and 4,000 educators in the Boulder Valley School District. Since 1983, we’ve provided supplemental funding and resources to students and educators in order to expand what’s possible in education.

MISSION

To support Boulder Valley public school students with community funding and resources in order to meet critical needs and eliminate opportunity gaps.

VISION

An equitable future for public education across Boulder Valley’s public schools.

We equalize opportunity, bolster academic success, and galvanize community engagement to create lasting change. Through our investments, we address systemic barriers that impact students based on socioeconomic status, race, gender, class and other marginalized identities.

CORE VALUES

CHAMPION FOR STUDENTS

The students of Boulder Valley School District are our first priority. We make decisions first and foremost based on what’s best for our students.

EQUITY-DRIVEN

Impact on Education recognizes that opportunities are not level in education across racial and socioeconomic lines. We will not waiver in our determination to ensure that these inequities are identified and eliminated so that every student can receive an equitable education and the same chance for a bright future.

ORIENTED TOWARDS POSSIBILITY

We are resourceful, creative and not afraid to break new ground. A nimble and forward-looking group, we seek out ways to help our students grow, explore and discover. We believe in learning and adapting as we go. We pilot new programs and evaluate their impact to help BVSD evolve to optimally serve all students.

CATALYTIC

As an independent organization, we are uniquely positioned to convene and coordinate with external partners (community leaders, local businesses, donors, community nonprofits, higher education systems) on behalf of BVSD.  Grounded in community need, we bring diverse groups together for projects that inspire, fill gaps, and exchange barriers for opportunities, for students of all ages.

GROUNDED IN INTEGRITY

The foundation of relationships is built on trust, honesty and respect.  In all of IOE’s dealings, its members hold themselves to sound moral and ethical principles, honoring the organization’s values in a consistent fashion.

EMPOWER

Equalize opportunity and bolster student success

ENGAGE

Galvanize community resources and strengthen partnerships and relationships

EVOLVE

Adapt to meet changing needs and grow organizational effectiveness

BRIEF HISTORY

In 1983 Virginia Patterson and Celeste Woodley created the Foundation for Boulder Valley Public Schools, now known as Impact on Education.

Virginia spent 14 years on the Boulder Valley School District Board of Education and Celeste was an education professor at CU Boulder. When voters passed the Gallagher Amendment in 1982, they worried it would reduce funding for public education. With the help of a Ford Foundation grant they founded the organization to protect BVSD from the uncertainties of local and state funding.

Our founding mission was to encourage excellence and excitement in the Boulder Valley School District and to increase community involvement in public education.

Watch the video below to learn more about our history and the first 40 years of our work.