MPS Foundation Wins Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Award

OKLAHOMA CITY — Public school foundations from Fort Gibson, Moore and Muskogee will receive the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s 2026 Outstanding Program Awards for School Foundations.

OFE and its Oklahoma School Foundations Network present the Outstanding Program Awards annually to recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma.

The 2026 award winners are:

• Tiger Tutoring, Fort Gibson Education Foundation
• Building Bridges, Moore Public Schools Foundation
• EFM Trivia Challenge, Education Foundation of Muskogee

Each public school foundation will receive a trophy and $2,000 award. Honorees are chosen based on the program’s impact on their school and community.

“Public school foundations positively impact our school communities in so many meaningful ways,” said OFE Executive Director Elizabeth Inbody. “Supporting and uplifting them is a vital part of OFE’s work, and we’re thrilled to honor these foundations.”

The Outstanding Program Award winners will be celebrated at OFE’s 40th annual Academic Awards Celebration on May 2 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Those wishing to attend can visit OFE.org for more information.

OFE is a statewide, nonpartisan nonprofit that elevates public education through esteemed honors, grants to K-12 mentoring programs, support for public school foundations and partnerships that provide exceptional professional development to educators. OFE’s Oklahoma School Foundations Network provides training, resources and networking opportunities for Oklahoma’s 200-plus public school foundations.

Building Bridges, Moore Public Schools Foundation

This innovative program focuses on removing housing insecurity as a barrier to education. The foundation is collaborating with Moore Public Schools and the nonprofit organization Bridges of Oklahoma to provide housing and support services for high school students experiencing homelessness or family crisis.  

Thanks to funds raised through a capital campaign, duplex-style housing is being built to bring safe, affordable housing to students who don’t have a stable place to live.

“Our mission is to enhance, enrich and expand students’ educational experiences throughout the district, and this campaign is a natural extension of that work because students cannot fully learn without stability,” said Lizzy Bozarth, executive director of the Moore Public Schools Foundation.

“What began with students raising the first dollars through Moore Love has grown into a village that will serve generations of young people facing family crisis.”

Students will also receive individualized wraparound support such as case management, connections to community resources and education on life skills and job readiness.

Construction is expected to finish this fall, and the program will serve at least 20 students annually.

Learn more about Bridges of Moore at www.mooreschools.com/BuildingBridges.