In 1990, Superintendent Maury Sullivan and School Board Member Jim Funk spoke with members of the Business Education Network (BNE) about creating an educational foundation.  Tom Kirchen, BNE member, was asked to be on a steering committee to research the possibilities and took on the leadership role as Foundation President.  Kirchen led the EFW from 1990 - 2005. The community is grateful to these three individuals for the inspiration and effort that made the Education Foundation of Wauwatosa (EFW) a reality.

The Rotary Club of Wauwatosa was the first to respond with $5,000 challenge grant to kick-off the beginnings of EFW.  Other local service clubs, businesses and individuals responded to the challenge. 

The EFW Walk/Run was started in 1991 with Wauwatosa Savings Bank (now WaterStone Bank) as the event's first major sponsor.  This event and sponsorship continues today.

The first EFW grants were awarded in 1992. To date, the Foundation has provided over $400,000 in program grants that have benefited students at all grade levels of our public schools. 

The Foundation supports excellence and innovation in the Wauwatosa Public School System by raising funds and providing grants to District staff for creative and innovative programs not covered in the core District budget.