Your donation makes a big difference! We have a number of different funds to which you may contribute and make an impact on the education of children in our district. These include educational grants, emergency assistance funding, scholarships, and other funds that are supporting and creating educational opportunities for children at Topeka Public Schools.
Annual Campaign
The TPS Foundation kicks off each school year with a district-wide employee campaign. Corporate and community giving is also received throughout the year. If you are one of the staff, businesses, or individuals from the community who have contributed to the Foundation, we thank you for your support!
Scholarships
Topeka Public Schools Foundation (TPSF) Scholarships
The Topeka Public Schools Foundation (TPSF) administers scholarships to encourage continued study in college, university, or technical school. Each scholarship has its own qualifying requirements and awards committee.
- Application Deadline: April 15 of each school year.
- Contact Information: TPS Foundation office at (785) 295-3018.
- Donations: To donate to any of the scholarships below, please Click Here.
Dr. Stanley and Tiffany Anderson Scholarship
Provides financial assistance to a graduating senior with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA enrolling in college.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Coach Beitz Memorial Scholarship
Assists a graduating senior from Highland Park or Topeka West High Schools pursuing post-secondary education.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Doug Goheen / Mike Callaway Scholarship
Established in honor of Doug Goheen and Mike Callaway by Topeka West graduates.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Capital City High School Scholarship
A $500 annual scholarship for a graduating senior from Capital City High School who has shown character and growth.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Roger Dirks and Cindy Capellari Future Minority Teacher Scholarship
Available for graduates majoring in elementary or secondary education.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Christopher S. Edmonds Prize for Debate and Forensics Excellence
For Topeka High School graduates displaying interest and proficiency in debate and forensics.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Educators Insurance Scholarship
For a graduating senior planning to major in education; other majors may be considered.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Nancy Epoch Topeka West High School Scholarship
Established by Topeka West graduates to honor vocal music teacher and musical director Nancy Epoch.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Claire Elise Fisher Inspiration Award
Designated for Topeka West High School students. Please contact your school counselor or the TPSF Foundation for more information.
Bill and Emilie Gahnstrom Scholarship
A one-time, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship for graduating seniors from Highland Park High School.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Susan Guffey Scholarship
Awarded to a senior who has shown unusual dedication to Highland Park High School.
Online Application: Click Here
Gordon Hackley Character Leadership
To provide scholarships to former McClure Elementary School students who have graduated from high school and are pursuing higher education degrees.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Highlander Scholarship
Provides three non-renewable $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Highland Park High School.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Highland Park Alumni Association Scholarships
This Scholarship provides three (3) non-renewable Scholarships of $1000 each to graduating Seniors from Highland Park High School. A committee consisting of members of the Highland Park Alumni Association and one HPHS staff member will evaluate the applications. The winner will be notified by mail or phone. The Topeka Public Schools Foundation will issue a check to the student and to the institution which the student chooses to further their education. Please submit the materials in the application below for consideration.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
The Diane Leupold Library and Media Services Scholarship
Honors the legacy of Diane Leupold's 45-year career in Topeka Public Schools library services.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Brian MacDonald Scholarship for Culinary Arts
For a sophomore or junior planning to attend the Washburn Institute of Technology Culinary Arts program.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Mrs. Joyce L. Martin Library Scholarship
Established in 2025 by her children in memory of her service as a paraprofessional in Topeka Public Schools.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
The McFarland TWHS Science Award
Recognizes an outstanding Topeka West High School science student.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Minority Leadership Scholarship
A one-time $1,000 scholarship for a minority student graduating from a TPS high school.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Roxy Perez' Legacy JROTC Memorial Scholarship
Provides $250 to a graduating JROTC senior continuing their education.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Mike Printz Character Strength Scholarship
Established by Topeka West graduates in honor of long-time library media specialist Mike Printz.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Andrew Reeves Teaching Profession Scholarship
Established in 2024 to assist qualifying TPS teachers pursuing an initial elementary or secondary education teaching license.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Major General Stephen Reeves Teaching Profession Scholarship
For qualifying teachers pursuing a master's degree who intend to continue teaching in the district.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
TWHS Class of '67 Teaching Award
An annual cash award recognizing an outstanding Topeka West High School teacher.
Packet: Click Here
Online Application: Click Here
Student Ballot: Click Here
Anderson Trust Fund
In 1998, John and Marcella Anderson established a fund designed to provide emergency grants to students in Topeka Public Schools. The Anderson Trust Fund provides students with an annual emergency grant to address needs as determined by the educators working directly with him or her. Unfortunately, each year the need for emergency assistance is greater than the funds available.
Your gifts can help a student in need. If you are an educator and know of a student who needs to benefit from this fund, complete and submit the linked referral application.
Referral Application: Click Here
Partnerships and Initiatives
Lynn & Lew Mills Young Readers Book Fund
In 2004, Mr. and Mrs. Mills established a designated fund through the Topeka Public Schools Foundation. This fund provides additional resources for book purchases at McEachron Elementary School. If you would like to start a special designated fund, please contact the TPS Foundation office at (785) 295-3018.
Parents As Teachers (PAT) Pine Ridge Project
The Topeka Public Schools Foundation, in collaboration with Topeka Housing Authority and TPS Parents as Teachers, supported an outreach program designed to serve 40 families with children prenatal to age three living in the Pine Ridge Community Center. Programs available to families include personalized home visits, weekly play groups and a book and toy lending library. TPS Foundation dollars were used to develop the lending library, serving over 100 children.
TPS Summer Music Program
An annual Topeka Public Schools Foundation-sponsored Summer Music Program was initiated in 2010. It provides an opportunity for participation in band, strings and choir beyond the traditional school year. The Program is held at a TPS high school on a rotating basis June. It provides music instruction during the summer to retain and enhance skills of band and strings for third through eighth grade students. An additional component is an Honor Choir for fourth through eighth grade students, who are chosen to participate through auditions. Approximately 200 elementary and middle school students participate in the program annually. Additionally, ten high school students participate as mentors.
Enrollment includes students from every school in the district. The program affords an opportunity for full-scale participation of every interested student without imposing a registration fee. The TPS Summer Music Program helps strengthen the district's music program.
Leave a legacy
Honor the anniversary, birth, life and more of someone by making a Topeka Public Schools Foundation contribution in the name of a company or individual. If requested, certificates, when appropriate, can be sent to the individual or company to inform them of the honor.
Honor an Educator
Make a contribution in living memory or in tribute of a special occasion. Honor a friend, relative, colleague or a Topeka Public Schools teacher who has made a difference to you or your children. Send a memorial contribution in recognition of a death. Your recipient will receive a personalized certificate to keep and cherish the honor. The Topeka Public Schools Foundation will receive a gift that will continue educational opportunities for Topeka youth. The certificate can be delivered by us, or you can deliver it yourself and express your sentiment in person.
No finer tribute can be paid than to show sympathy for a loved one to encourage the values and perpetuate the principles you admire.
More Information and Form: Click Here
Walk of Honor
The Topeka Public Schools Foundation is the proud developer of the TPSF Walk of Honor project. The Walk of Honor serves two purposes: 1. to honor 2. as a fundraiser. Funds raised benefit the students of Topeka Public Schools.
The Walk of Honor, located at the main entrance to Burnett Administrative Center, affords all the opportunity to purchase a brick in honor of an individual, organization or school of their choice!
For more information and to purchase a brick - Click Here