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Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools: Showing Up for Students and Classrooms
The Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools strengthens classrooms and supports students by filling critical gaps where school funding alone can’t reach. For more than three decades, they’ve partnered with schools and the community to make sure educators and students feel supported every step of the way.
The Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools was established in 1988 by a group of community volunteers who recognized a growing need to expand support for local schools. What began as a small, dedicated effort has grown into a trusted nonprofit that works closely with schools across the district, responding to emerging needs and strengthening students’ educational experiences .
At the heart of the Foundation’s work is a commitment to meeting students where they are. One of the programs they are most proud of is their support for students facing food insecurity. Each week, more than 1,600 students receive meals through the BackPack Meals program and school-based food pantries. What started in 2007 as a volunteer-led initiative has grown into a robust, community-supported effort, sustained by dedicated staff, hundreds of volunteers, and generous donors who work together to ensure students have enough to eat.
The Foundation’s impact reaches far beyond food access. A long-standing community tradition, Reading Rocks, has encouraged summer reading for more than 23 years. Each summer, thousands of books are given away to keep children engaged and excited about reading while school is out. Families often share how the program helps children maintain, and sometimes even improve their reading skills when they return to school in the fall.
The culture of the Education Foundation is defined by collaboration, responsiveness, and a deep respect for educators and students. The team listens closely to the schools’ needs and works hard to respond in meaningful, practical ways. Their approach is flexible and solution-oriented, ensuring support reaches classrooms where it can make the greatest difference.
Some of the most meaningful feedback comes directly from the community they serve. Teachers share how classroom grants helped bring new ideas to life or provided resources they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Families express gratitude for food support that eases stress at home. Together, these stories reflect the Foundation’s daily impact on all 17,000 students and 3,000 staff members across the district.
Collaboration is key to this work. The Education Foundation partners with organizations like Tumbleweed and Family Service to support students and families facing food insecurity, strengthening the network of care available to local schools.
Looking ahead, the Foundation is preparing to launch a refreshed Classroom Grants program in 2026. The new Spark Awards model will allow funds to be awarded three times a year rather than once, making it easier to respond quickly to evolving classroom needs and helping educators bring timely, innovative ideas to life throughout the school year.
Volunteers remain essential to everything the Education Foundation does. From packing fresh fruit to reading in the park or helping with community events, volunteer support makes these programs possible and keeps the Foundation closely connected to the schools it serves. If you’d like to volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit www.efbps.org to connect with the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools.
