About Us
Established in 1989, the Education Foundation of Forest Grove is an independent non-profit organization assisting the Forest Grove School District in expanding the educational opportunities and resources available to our students.
The Education Foundation of Forest Grove is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989 to expand educational opportunity and support for the Forest Grove School District. The Foundation funds numerous teacher grants and several alumni scholarships each year. Our vision is to generate a diversity of opportunity through collaboration, creativity, and growth. It is our hope that through the funds raised we will be able to help bring back programs and electives that have been lost in previous years.
Our Mission:
“Building bridges of learning, enrichment, and education for the students of the Forest Grove School District.”
Barbara taught elementary music for 33 years in the Forest Grove School District. During that time, she worked in all the elementary schools. That experience has given her perspective on the diversity as well as the varying demographics of the district. She has seen firsthand the many differences in financial and family support.
She hopes by being on the board she can help support all students and teachers in the district by making them aware of the resources offered by the foundation. She brings her perspective to the board on district needs, especially in the arts where funding is always scarce.
She has passion for working on behalf of children and teachers and wants to continue to make a difference in the community.
Crystal Hannan - Vice President
Crystal joined the board in 2016 because she loved the idea of working with an organization with such an important mission to help our schools. Education is vital and unfortunately our schools lack the funding they need. The EFFG helps bridge that gap by funding teacher grants and scholarships for graduating seniors. Crystal lives in Cornelius and has two boys at Forest Grove High School. She is a naturopathic physician with a family practice - In Health Naturopathic Medicine - in Forest Grove.
Lorraine agreed to serve as Treasurer on the EFFG board as a way of ‘paying back’ to the organizations that supported her in the past. She would not have been able to attend high school or college without the benefit of grants and scholarships. She has served as Treasurer on several other boards and has done her fair share of fundraising for schools and the community of Forest Grove. She also believes the EFFG is necessary to help fund schools in the district without active PTO’s. Her vision for the future of EFFG is to promote awareness of its mission and to find more creative ways to raise funds.
Susan Rodgers McDowell - Secretary
A board member since 2005, Susan's three daughters and now 2 of her 7 grandchildren, attended schools in the Forest Grove school district. She values the importance of vital schools that provide a strong opportunity for learning. Currently serving as Secretary, Susan particularly enjoys awarding Teacher Grants
Cindy Benson-Taylor
Cindy has been a member of the BOD for 20 plus years and a life-long member of the Forest Grove community. Cindy comes from a family of 4 generations of Forest Grove School District graduates. Cindy attended schools in the FG School District from 1st grade through 12th grade, as did her daughter. Cindy spent 33 years in the hi-tech manufacturing industry with a career in Human Resources and is now retired. She is committed to assisting and supporting the education system and students of the Forest Grove/Cornelius communities while encouraging community involvement.
Cindy has been a member of the BOD for 20 plus years and a life-long member of the Forest Grove community. Cindy comes from a family of 4 generations of Forest Grove School District graduates. Cindy attended schools in the FG School District from 1st grade through 12th grade, as did her daughter. Cindy spent 33 years in the hi-tech manufacturing industry with a career in Human Resources and is now retired. She is committed to assisting and supporting the education system and students of the Forest Grove/Cornelius communities while encouraging community involvement.
Lisa is a former teacher and has remained passionate about refining Oregon’s education. After being the recipient of her hometown’s education foundation scholarship, she understands the impact and has always wanted to pay it forward. Lisa was previously a trailblazer for the I Am Your Child Foundation, First 5 California and Prop10- Children and Families First Act, focused on establishing universal pre-K. Lisa currently lobbies the Oregon Senate as advisory council to procure state funding for special education inclusive services for Northwest Regional ESD. Lisa has two daughters in elementary school in the FGSD. She has served on Harvey Clarke Elementary’s PTO Board for the past 5 years as well as Pacific University’s ELC Parent Advisory Board and was recently honored as Mrs. Forest Grove 2023.
