OUR MISSION
As the official philanthropic partner of Teton County School District #1, the Education Foundation of Jackson Hole ensures all students are equipped to lead lives with purpose and possibility.
EVERY KID SEEN. EVERY NEED MET. EVERY FUTURE POSSIBLE.
For more than 15 years, Education Foundation of Jackson Hole (EFJH) has been raising funds and providing resources to Teton County’s public schools. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit school foundation, our work directly impacts the lives of nearly 3,000 students and over 400 teachers and district staff members.
“The money raised by Education Foundation of Jackson Hole and its donors enables our educators to provide every student with extraordinary opportunities and experiences not covered by state and federal funding. It allows both our teachers and our students to dream big and accomplish more.”
-Annie Band, EFJH President and former TCSD#1 Trustee
Jackson Hole’s property taxes are high. Why do our schools still need your help?
Wyoming’s school funding model means that most of the tax money our community pays goes to other school districts. Here’s how it works:
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School funding begins when the state calculates the foundation guarantee. This is the amount of money each school district is guaranteed in order to provide its students with a basic education. The amount each school receives is based on a number of factors, including the number of students enrolled, special education needs, transportation needs, etc. This is recalculated for each school every year.
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Every school district receives funding from its local community through several sources. In Teton County, property taxes and property related revenues are the largest contributors. The state also considers any cash reserves held by the school district when calculating funding.
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If a school district’s local revenue is less than the amount guaranteed under the state funding model, the district may draw from the state foundation pool to make up the difference. This process, known as entitlement, ensures that school districts across Wyoming have sufficient funding to operate. Currently, 43 districts in Wyoming qualify for entitlement.
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If a school district’s local revenue exceeds the amount guaranteed under the state funding model, the excess funds must be sent to the state and deposited into the foundation pool. This process is known as recapture. Currently, five districts in Wyoming are recapture districts, including Teton County School District #1. In the 2023-2024 school year, TCSD#1 sent more than $80 million to the state.
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Recapture means that our school district’s budget is limited by what the state determines is needed for a basic education, not necessarily what our community wants or what students need. Private donations can provide funding that removes the barriers that keep students from showing up, staying engaged, and reaching their full potential. With consistent support for programs that help address student basic needs, students can attend school regularly, achieve academically, graduate with confidence, and grow into the skilled, compassionate leaders our community depends on.
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Donate to support local public schools through the Education Foundation of Jackson Hole (EFJH). Private funds are not considered when calculating the foundation guarantee or the recapture amount. Donating to EFJH ensures that local resources stay within our local public schools, enabling extraordinary education for students in our community.