In March 2014, after 18 months from making our filing for the IRS 501c3 approval, the Benson Tech Foundation received its approved status. In June 2014, a checking and savings account was established at Point West Credit Union across the street from Benson Tech. Since then, contributions have exceeded $2,000 and $500 was donated to the new Benson Tech algebra class starting a new business to help use algebraic formulas for teaching math.

The Foundation’s sole mission is to provide financial support or supplies/materials “in kind” for the Career Technical Education (CTE) programs at Benson Tech High School. Although the Foundation is new, its mission is longstanding. The Foundation is actively seeking donations and the largest donation to date was from Ziba Design, an international industrial and consumer design company headquartered in Portland. Ziba employees are on the recently established Architecture/Design Career Technical Advisory Committee.

For further information on the Foundation, please email Foundation President Rob Johns at robjohns [at] comcast [dot] net or call 503-314-0041.

This article appears in our February 2015 newsletter (pdf)