The first official meeting of the Salina Education Foundation was held February 9, 1987. The bylaws stipulated that all seven (7) school board members serve as trustees, the superintendent and assistant superintendent of business affairs serve as ex-officio members and the remaining (6) members be chosen from the community.

Our first Board of Directors
Vicki Price, Chair
Glenda Schmidt, Vice-chair
Cathy Roberts
Allen Webber, Treasurer
Dr. Hugh Cowan, Interim Supt.
Dr. Richard Stedry, Asst Supt.
Jerry Lundgrin
Mary Lee Warner
Larry Mathews
Elly Ritter
Jocelyn Palmer
John Chalmers
Mary Andersen
Carol D’Albini
Steve Ascher

Timeline
1986:  Plans begin to incorporate an education foundation to benefit USD 305.
1987: Foundation receives tax-exempt status. First scholarship donation accepted.
1990: First donation to endowment received.
1993: 21st Century Advantage Grant Program started.
1995: Nominating Committee recommends changing number of school board members on the SEF board. Board amends bylaws to include two (2) school board members instead of seven (7).
1996:  Pam McIntyre named executive director, taking over the position from Carol Exline. 
1998: SEF sponsors first 305 LIVE! at the Central Mall. All schools were represented and students
performed on three stages. Trustees vote to endorse the USD 305 Bond Issue and Sales Tax Referendum and to sponsor an educational video used to educate the public about the issues.
2000: SEF sponsors second 305 LIVE! at the Central Mall.
2001: Creating the Future Priority Action team begins talks with SEF about a grow-your-own teacher program. Joint committee creates preliminary framework and Foundation researches issues, refines program design.
2003: LIFT receives full board approval, Earl Bane Foundation commits $240,000 matching gift to LIFT.
2004: Fundraising begins for LIFT Program.
2005: Sudden Opportunity Grants started.
2006: Fundraising match achieved, fundraising continues. First LIFT Recipient, Kaysie Rowson, named. First annual Fall Breakfast held, Jerry Moran the featured speaker.
2007: Outside-the-Box Grant started.
2008: April Business partners total 56.
2009: SEF Grants total $400,000. Eighth LIFT Recipient named. Website redesigned.
2011: April Business Partners total 91. SEF Grants total $455,000. Two new LIFT recipients named, making 11 total. Five LIFT recipients will be teaching in USD 305 during 2011-2012 school year. 
2012: SEF marks its 25th year. Three new lift recipients named ($140,000 awarded);$480,000 in total grant awards. Business Partners total 105. School of Rock Fundraiser (305 LIVE) with Joe's Pet Project to benefit endowment, October 13, Central High Auditorium. 
2013: Grant awards top $500,000. 305 LIVE with Joe's Pet Project and USD 305 students was a huge success - will return November 9, 2013.
2014: One million dollar endowment goal to support LIFT program reached. Nineteen students have received LIFT award, totaling $175,000 in support for future teachers.
2015: 10th Annual Fall Breakfast honoring donors focused on reading grants: Coronado's 7 Wonders of Salina and Central High's Book Club. LIFT recipients Taylor Harner and Lauren Meis begin teaching.
2016: 305 LIVE was held at The Stiefel Theatre.  Over $600,000 in grants have been awarded.  Five new LIFT recipients were named.  Jessica Steele, Amanda Merrick, and Lindsay Radiel begin teaching.
2017: LIFT recipients Ayla Beaugh, Dallas Froome, and Kelsey Plummer begin teaching.  12th annual Fall Breakfast highlighted field trip grants to Topeka and Emporia, Schilling drummers, and the new superintendent, Dr. James Hardy.  Mckenzie Carlgren, Morgan Soldan, and Riley Rundell named LIFT recipients.
2018:  305 LIVE School of Rock is back at the Stiefel Theatre on May 23, 7:00 p.m.  Four new LIFT recipients were named:  Lance Rassette, Cameron Munk, MacKenzie Frabrizius, and Taylor Deines.
2019:  The 14th annual Fall Breakfast was held honoring donors to the SEF.  The theme of the breakfast:  "Nurture a Seedling and Great Things Happen" showcased the South Middle Guitar Program that started with a SEF grant and has grown into a nathionally recognized program.  Six new LIFT recipients were named:  Grace Holgerson, Hannah Rivers, Audrey Burgoon, Alora Nesting, Elaine Stineman, and Melissa Mahoney.
2020:  305 LIVE was held at Central Auditorium on February 22. It was one of the final student events before school closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The work of the SEF continued at the executive director's home.  Five new LIFT recipients named:  Hannah Caswell, Mason Frost, Ashley Matthews, Sierra Snethen, and Kati Rivera.  Pam McIntyre, executive director since October 1996, retired on June 30.  Michael Chambers named executive director, effective July 1, 2020.
2021: The Covid-19 pandemic continued. Nonetheless, the work of the Salina Education Foundation persisted. Lexi Doherty, Melissa Gates, and Reagan Stein were named LIFT recipients. $28,000 in grants were approved to fund projects all across the district. LIFT recipients Rylie Rundell and Cameron Munk begin teaching for USD 305.
2022: The theme for the Fall Breakfast was “Connecting the Dots,” and several grant recipients were featured during the event. LIFT recipients Tabetha Deines, Mason Frost, and Lance Rassett began teaching for Salina Public Schools. $27,000 in grants were approved to fund projects across the district. LIFT recipients for 2022-23 were named Lauren Allen, Diana Geist, Megan Householter, Hannah Kipp, Paige Musselwhite, and Zac Salas.
2023: Former LIFT recipients become teachers for USD 305 - Melissa Gates, Grace Holgerson, and Paige Musselwhite. $27,000 in grants were approved to fund projects across the district. Kate Lindsay was named executive director, effective August 17, 2023.
2024: Six new LIFT recipients were named - Grace Allen, Chloe Highsmith, Kolbe Shafer, Emily Streeter, Jessica Toman, and Alexia Walsh. Former LIFT recipients Lauren Allen and Ashley Matthews begin teaching for Salina Public Schools in the 24-25 school year.