01/26/2026
Lopez, YOU DID IT! 🎉
Thanks to hundreds of acts of generosity, the Lopez Island Education Foundation(LIEF) has reached its $300,000 fundraising goal for the 2025–2026 school year — a milestone made possible by the Lopez community and everyone who cares about our beloved Lopez Island School.
Donations came in many forms, from bake sales to matching gifts and community donations. Island families, friends, neighbors, and supporters near and far came together to support our school. 💛
The LIEF Board would like to recognize a few special supporters we are deeply grateful for:
for running the Dine Out & Round Up campaign, which raised over $1,200 — the equivalent of funding an off-island field trip — while helping raise awareness about school funding challenges.
• Lopez artist Kristi Carpine-Taber, who generously donated artwork and notecards sold at Chimera Gallery, with proceeds benefitting Lopez students.
• A generous Lopez couple, whose Giving Tuesday match helped raise more than $15,000 in a single day.
Because of this collective effort, LIEF helped close the district’s immediate funding shortfall and preserved support for teacher grants for field trips, curriculum, and week-long intensives to enrich learning for island kids.
As we celebrate this important milestone, we also remain mindful that long-term funding challenges are not yet resolved. Until sustainable solutions are in place, LIEF anticipates that community fundraising at this scale will continue to play a vital role in supporting our school. We’ll keep working closely with school leadership and keeping the community informed as plans and needs become clearer.
Community schools need community support — and Lopez delivered big time. Thank you, Lopez. 💛
Learn more: https://www.lopezeducation.org
