The Sand Springs Education Foundation was formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in 1989. The Foundation was created to develop supportive community and private sector relationships with the Sand Springs School System. Its purpose is to collect and distribute financial contributions from individuals, businesses, and organizations to benefit students enrolled in Sand Springs Public Schools.

The Sand Springs Education Foundation began with an old fashioned “box meal” fundraiser for Sand Springs Schools and a dream of local business man, Montie Box. Sand Springs residents were challenged to bring supplies and cash to support Sand Springs Schools as their “tickets” for a free chicken dinner at Charles Page High School. Mr. Box presented former Superintendent Wendell Sharpton a matching $5,000 to launch the Sand Springs Education Foundation.

In 1990 a “Founding Donors Dinner” was held to begin the supportive capital for the Foundation. The Board of Trustees set a goal of $100,000 and the $500 plate Founding Donors Dinner was the initial investment needed to develop the endowment fund from which the upcoming Grants Program was started.