The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (in Education) is a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public education in Oklahoma. Established in 1985 by former U. S.

Senator David L. Boren, the foundation's mission is to recognize and encourage academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, it relies on private contributions to support its initiatives.

The foundation offers a range of impactful programs and services. One of its flagship programs is the Academic Awards Program, which annually awards $125,000 to exceptional high school seniors as Academic All-Staters and outstanding educators as Medal for Excellence winners. The highlight of this program is the televised Academic Awards Banquet, a prestigious event that pays tribute to these exemplary students and educators.

Additionally, the foundation operates the Oklahoma School Foundations Network, which provides valuable resources and networking opportunities to support the growth of education foundations across the state. This program has played a crucial role in establishing one of the largest networks of education foundations in the nation. The foundation also collaborates with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to offer Early American History Education Programs.

These programs include fellowships for Oklahoma teachers to attend the renowned Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, where they engage in immersive historical experiences and gain valuable knowledge to enrich their classroom instruction. Another significant initiative of the foundation is Teacher Professional Development. Through partnerships with organizations like the Fund for Teachers, it grants funding for Oklahoma teachers to attend national conferences and pursue self-designed summer professional development opportunities worldwide.

In addition, the foundation recently launched the Teachers of English Learners Project, providing support and resources to classroom teachers in schools with high enrollments of English Learners. Recognizing the impact of mentoring on student success, the foundation established the Boren Mentoring Initiative in 2006. It offers free support and resources to youth mentoring programs throughout the state, aiming to promote their growth and development.

The initiative also provides start-up grants for new mentoring organizations and opportunity grants to address the strategic needs of K-12 mentoring programs. Overall, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is a vital force in the advancement of public education in Oklahoma. Through its various programs and services, it demonstrates a steadfast commitment to recognizing academic achievement, empowering educators, supporting school foundations, promoting historical education, facilitating professional development, and fostering mentoring relationships