Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company
Students thrive in supported environments, and education is a team effort that needs community input to succeed. For students on the north side of Indianapolis, that’s precisely where the Western Boone Education Foundation (WBEF) comes in.
Innovative educational programs help motivate students to greater heights, but that can be a challenge in the public school setting where budget limitations are often hurdles to implementing beneficial programs. The WBEF helps bridge those gaps to provide students and teachers with enrichment opportunities.
The Western Boone Education Foundation is a 401(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering success through community-funded initiatives. Through generous donations, sponsorships and various fundraising events, they provide additional opportunities for local-area teachers, students and schools.
Each year the WBEF provides five $2,000 scholarships help cover costs associated with attendance at post-secondary institutions. Recent grants have gone to fund VersaTiles hands-on, skills-based practice, new sports team attire, an expanded music program, games for math stations, along with new technology and curricula. Additional funds are used to help provide staff lunches and learning experiences for teachers.
“We’re a small foundation trying to make a big difference,” says Rob Ramey, superintendent of Western Boone County Community School Corporation. “We truly appreciate those that give each year who can see the value of what we’re doing to provide extra support to our students and staff.”
After a brief hiatus due to the COVID outbreak, the WBEF is back to actively raising funds. The foundation hosts several fundraisers each year including a kickoff pork burger event at the first home football game each August, a year-end campaign, and an annual trivia night, which will take place on February 21, 2026. Last year the foundation raised $12,500 at their trivia event – more money than ever before. Ramey hopes to see increasing numbers in the 2025-2026 school year.
“We’ve rebounded strong and had our best night as far as profit goes this past February,” he says. “It was really great to see that support from the community.”
Ramey urges the community to become involved as board members, or by donating where possible. He believes schools will need additional support in the upcoming year as educational leaders everywhere work to tackle incoming legislation directed at schools and their funding.
“We’re going to have to be creative and look at every way possible to address shortfalls due to budget decisions made by lawmakers,” he says. “We’ll eventually have to make tough decisions about where we’ll tighten our budget, but that’s not a new situation for publicly funded schools. The foundation can help to offset some of those upcoming obstacles we’ll be facing.”
Ramey hopes to be able to support even more programs in the 2025-2026 school year.
“We need all the support we can get, and we are so grateful for everything we’ve received so far,” he says. “It’s encouraging to see.”
Anyone interested in serving on the board should reach out to Ramey at rob.ramey@webo.k12.in.us. To learn more about the WBEF, visit mywbef.org.
