The Foundation 153 Story

The Homewood Foundation for Educational Excellence/Foundation 153

Faced with increasingly tight school budgets, District 153 rallied concerned parents and other community leaders to found the Homewood Foundation for Educational Excellence in 2005. Their objective was to meet the challenges of funding educational experiences beyond the school district's reach. 

After a few years, the organization adopted a shorter name, "Foundation 153," the moniker under which it now does business.

Since its inception, Foundation 153 has provided over a quarter of a million dollars in support to School District 153.

From purchasing books to providing audio equipment, from sending kids to Eli’s Cheesecake Factory for a field trip to inviting published authors in to meet the kids, Foundation 153 has helped provide an innovative and diverse offering of relevant educational opportunities to all the students of District 153. See videos to the right for examples of Foundation 153's early funded projects.

Supporting Inspired Teaching

In 2015, Foundation 153 changed the scope of its grantmaking. Influenced by research that proves an inspiring and knowledgeable teacher is that single greatest school-related factor on student achievement, Foundation 153 decided to concentrate its efforts on supporting professional development opportunities for District 153 staff.