Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity Inc.

05/22/2026

Our CFEO family is at a loss for words over the passing of Chuck Stout. Chuck began his service on the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity, Inc. (CFEO) Board of Directors in September of 2015, first serving as a liaison and ex-officio member representing the Caldwell School District Board of Trustees. After his time on the school board concluded, Chuck continued his commitment to CFEO as a fund representative, helping to oversee and contributing to a fund for his in-laws, Vernon & Donna DeMark. He remained deeply devoted to the mission of supporting Caldwell students and schools. Chuck brought unmatched energy, heart, and a fiery determination to the foundation. He played a key role in planning fundraising events such as golf tournaments and worked tirelessly to build support throughout the Caldwell community. Whether making phone calls, visiting local businesses in person, or encouraging community partners to support Idaho Gives campaigns through billboard promotions, Chuck was never afraid to ask for help when it meant creating opportunities for kids. His passion, his belief in education, and his willingness to connect with others made him a driving force within the foundation. Beyond his service, Chuck built lasting friendships with several fellow board members, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege to serve alongside him.

We send our deepest condolences and much love to the Stout and DeMark families, during this difficult time.

View Charles Glenn Stout's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

05/15/2026

Big shoutout to Roots Revival Salon and owner Ruthie Katzenberger for partnering with CFEO to support students and families at Jefferson Middle School! ☀️💛

We are LOVING this fun Summer Beauty Bag raffle item and are so thankful for local businesses that pour back into our schools and community.

Be sure to stop by the Jefferson carnival tonight, enjoy the kickoff to summer, and join in the fun! 🎡🌸 CFEO is proud to support our students and families every step of the way! 💙

05/08/2026

🎯 Pull out your shotguns and ammo and join us for the CFEO Clay Shoot! 🎯

Come spend the day supporting students in the Caldwell School District while enjoying a fun-filled morning at the range!

📍 Idaho Sporting Clays – Homedale, Idaho
📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ Registration Opens: 8:00 a.m.
⏰ Shoot Begins: 9:00 a.m.

💥 Teams of 4: $280
💥 Individual Shooters: $70

Your registration includes:
✔️ Lunch provided by The Twisted Fig
✔️ Door prizes
✔️ Raffle ticket opportunities
✔️ A great day supporting local students!

⚠️ Registration closes June 1st.
Late registrations after June 1st will include an additional $10 fee per person.

All proceeds directly benefit students in the Caldwell School District through the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity (CFEO).

📞 To register, contact Erin Sullivan Smith:
Phone/Text: 208-284-0978
Email: [email protected]

Gather your team and come shoot for a great cause! 💙

05/08/2026

As Idaho Gives enters its final hours, we want to recognize the incredible CFEO Board of Directors for the time, leadership, passion, and personal generosity they pour into our mission every single year. 💚

These leaders don’t just serve our organization — many of them also give their own financial support during Idaho Gives because they believe deeply in the future of Caldwell students and educators.

Their commitment helps create scholarships, classroom grants, and opportunities that change lives.

Join our board in making a difference before Idaho Gives comes to a close! ✨
https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/caldwell-foundation-for-educational-opportunity-inc-cfeo

05/07/2026

🌿THESE ARE THE FACES OF IDAHO GIVES🌿

Because of your generosity, CFEO is able to continue supporting Caldwell students. These faces represent the real and lasting impact of your donations. When Caldwell gives, Caldwell THRIVES!

As we head into the final hours of giving, please consider donating to CFEO. You can access our story and make a donation here: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/caldwell-foundation-for-educational-opportunity-inc-cfeo

05/07/2026

💙 For me, CFEO is personal. 💛

I’m currently the only employee serving as Executive Director for CFEO, but this work has never felt like “just a job” to me. It’s deeply connected to who I am, where I come from, and the community that helped shape my life.

I graduated from Caldwell High School in 1996. My husband is a Caldwell graduate. Our families are filled with Caldwell graduates. And my two daughters were raised right here in the Caldwell School District.

I also come from a family rooted in education. So many of my family members have dedicated their lives to teaching and serving students, and now I have a daughter who is considering a future in education as well.

Growing up, so much of my life was spent in schools, surrounded by teachers, mentors, coaches, and staff members who helped shape the person I am today. Their influence didn’t end when I graduated. It stayed with me, and it’s part of why serving students and educators now means so much to me.

Being a Caldwell Cougar isn’t just part of my story, it’s part of my identity.

When I look through our scholarships, I see the names of former teachers who poured into students like me. I see school district employees who dedicated their lives to education. I see classmates, friends, and even students whose lives ended too soon but whose legacies continue through these scholarships.

That heritage means something.

It’s what fuels me every single day to serve CFEO, our students, our teachers, and this incredible community.

Being Executive Director at CFEO has allowed me to combine every passion I carry in my heart:
✨ Education
✨ Students and children
✨ Supporting teachers
✨ Nonprofit work
✨ Giving back to the community that gave so much to me

There’s something incredibly special about serving a place you truly know and love. The institutional knowledge, the relationships, the history, the pride... it all matters.

I feel unbelievably blessed to wake up every day and work on behalf of Caldwell students and educators. Thank you for allowing me to be part of continuing the legacy of what it means to be a Caldwell Cougar.

Donate to CFEO during Idaho Gives: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/caldwell-foundation-for-educational-opportunity-inc-cfeo

05/07/2026

✨ Why give to CFEO’s General Fund? ✨

Because scholarships and grants don’t happen on their own.

Your support helps CFEO:
💙 Manage 50+ scholarships for Caldwell students
💙 Support grants and educational programs
💙 Keep operations running efficiently and responsibly
💙 Sustain outreach, fundraising, and donor stewardship
💙 Grow our impact as student needs continue to grow

A strong foundation creates stronger opportunities for students.

When you give to CFEO’s General Fund, you’re not just supporting overhead, you’re investing in the future of Caldwell. 💛

https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/caldwell-foundation-for-educational-opportunity-inc-cfeo

05/07/2026

✨ Behind every scholarship and grant, there’s a system that makes it possible.

At CFEO, we’re proud of what our heritage has built. What started as just a handful of scholarships has grown into 50 + scholarships (Some of which are given to more than one student.) and that doesn’t even include the grants we help manage for Caldwell School District students and programs.

But here’s something we don’t talk about enough…. Impact doesn’t happen by accident. It takes infrastructure.

CFEO isn't just handing out funds, we’re planning, coordinating, reviewing applications, supporting and interacting with students, working with our dedicated fund reps, managing funds and endowments, and making sure every dollar is used responsibly. That work requires:
• Staff leadership (yes, real people doing real work!)
• Technology and communication tools
• Compliance, training, and insurance
• Outreach and fundraising efforts to keep the mission going

Right now, CFEO operates with one dedicated Executive Director and an incredible team of volunteers and board members who give their time, and often even their own resources... to keep things moving forward. We’ve kept overhead low on purpose… but growth is knocking, and with it comes the need to expand our capacity.

🚫 Here’s the truth: Lower overhead doesn’t automatically mean greater impact.
✅ Strong programs require strong support behind them.

When operational costs are underfunded, it doesn’t make a nonprofit more effective, it makes it harder to serve well. Investing in the foundation of an organization is what allows the mission to thrive long-term.

When you give to CFEO’s general fund, you’re not “covering overhead”
you’re powering the work that makes every scholarship and grant possible.

You’re helping us grow responsibly, serve students well, and continue building something Caldwell can be proud of.... you'll keep us going for another 33 years!

👉 During Idaho Gives, consider supporting the engine behind the impact.

To donate, Click here: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/caldwell-foundation-for-educational-opportunity-inc-cfeo

05/07/2026

💙🐾 Cougar Pride. Tiger Pride. One incredible community. 🧡🐅

At CFEO, we are proud to support graduating seniors from both Caldwell High School and Canyon Springs High School — students who represent the heart, determination, and future of Caldwell.

Whether they wear blue and gold or purple and orange, these students carry stories of resilience, growth, leadership, and community pride. Through scholarships and educational support, CFEO is honored to help open doors for students as they take the next step toward their futures.

From Cougars to Tigers, we believe every student deserves opportunities to dream bigger, go further, and know their community believes in them.

Together, we are building stronger futures for ALL!

Donate to CFEO during Idaho Gives: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/caldwell-foundation-for-educational-opportunity-inc-cfeo

02/04/2026

Join us tomorrow for some java, treats and a celebration! Bring your business cards for our giveaways! 💙💛

Why this Coffee Connect Matters ☕🎓
Strong schools don’t grow in isolation... they grow with the support of the community around them. When local businesses, educators, and community leaders come together through events like Coffee Connects, meaningful connections are made that directly impact students in the Caldwell School District. The Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity (CFEO) plays a unique role in this work. While closely connected to the District, CFEO is a separate, community-based nonprofit that exists solely to support Caldwell students, bridging the gap between public education and private investment through scholarships, grants, and opportunity-driven programs.

Chambers of Commerce can help bridge the gap between classrooms and the workforce, giving businesses a connection in conversations about public education, career readiness, and long-term community growth. By showing up, listening, and engaging, businesses help shape a stronger future for our schools and a stronger local economy for everyone.

Join us for coffee, conversation, and connection as we work together to support public education in Caldwell!

Caldwell School District
Caldwell Chamber of Commerce