The McMinnville Education Foundation (MEF) members represent a community that values education and makes the educational enrichment of its students a priority.
Our Mission
The McMinnville Education Foundation was established in 1998 as a 501(c)3 to expand the range of educational opportunities available to students and to encourage excellence, innovation, and creativity in the McMinnville School District.
The Founders
Frank Nelson, Margie Taylor Viall, and Carol McCulley had the idea to form the McMinnville Education Foundation. They then found several other interested individuals that comprised the 26 founding board members.
Each founding member was committed to sharing their value in supporting teachers and enriching the education of district students.
Establishing an Endowment
Each founding member also committed to give $1000 a year for three years to ensure the Foundation would be able to support educational experiences and grow an endowment.
Program Fundraising
Today’s board members, plus the generous support of our volunteers, sponsors and donors continue to fundraise to support our programs. Such efforts include:
- Runtoberfest 5K run/walk
- Donated wine sales
- Payroll deduction campaign among McMinnville School District employees
- Annual donor campaign
- Contributions from MEF endowment
- Sponsor solicitations through personal contacts
- Partnerships like First Federal, Yamhill County Cultural Coalition, & 3rd on 3rd
Current Board Members
BOARD MEMBERS
Erich Berg
Brian Bixler
Janis Braich
Kathy Cabe
Jen Davies
Susanne Howard
Kelley Kennedy
Joel Kiff
Kathy Kollasch
Casey Manfrin*
Carol McCulley*
Susanne Sayles
Nancy Vasquez
Margie Viall*
Marie Wherry
Amber Zirkel
*founding members
It must be for the children.
Contributed by Margie Viall, Founding Board Member
I want the community to:
- know about the foundation
- consider yearly support to continue growing the Endowment Fund
- recognize that the most important investment they could be making is to the children of our community
