A New Chapter for the North Kitsap Schools Foundation

Filling critical gaps today while building a stronger future for North Kitsap students.

The North Kitsap Schools Foundation is entering an exciting new chapter—one rooted in growth, purpose, and an even stronger commitment to supporting students and educators across our district.

While our schools may not be growing in size, the needs of our students and classrooms are growing in depth, complexity, and urgency. Every day, educators are asked to do more—supporting not just academic learning, but the social, emotional, and real-world experiences that help students thrive. Meeting those rising needs calls for bold leadership, deeper partnerships, and a renewed commitment to possibility.

That’s why we are thrilled to share this exciting milestone: the North Kitsap Schools Foundation has hired its first-ever Executive Director, Stefan Keel. This moment marks a turning point—one that strengthens our ability to fill critical gaps, amplify our impact, and build a future where every North Kitsap student is seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Filling the Gaps Where It Matters Most

Public schools do incredible work with limited resources. Every day, educators stretch budgets, share supplies, and innovate to ensure students receive the best possible learning experiences. Yet as costs rise and needs increase—academically, socially, emotionally, and experientially—gaps inevitably form.

The North Kitsap Schools Foundation exists to fill those gaps.

From classroom grants that bring hands-on learning to life, to programs that support creativity, equity, and opportunity, the Foundation helps ensure learning doesn’t stop where funding ends. We support the ideas, tools, and experiences that don’t always fit within traditional budgets—but make a lasting difference in students’ lives.

As those needs continue to grow, so must our ability to respond thoughtfully, sustainably, and strategically.

A Leader Already Shaping Our Future

Some leaders arrive with a plan. Others come with a heart for the work. Stefan Keel brings both.

Long before becoming Executive Director, Stefan helped shape the North Kitsap Schools Foundation's future. Since joining the Board in 2023 and serving as Board President, he has been a steady, visionary presence—guiding conversations, strengthening systems, and always centering the needs of students and educators.

Stefan’s impact reaches far beyond board meetings. If you’ve attended a school event, community fundraiser, or classroom celebration, you’ve likely seen him there—listening, connecting, and showing up with genuine enthusiasm. His leadership is rooted in service, built on trust, and driven by a deep belief in the power of education to change lives.

A disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran with a diverse professional background spanning technology, design, storytelling, and nonprofit work, Stefan brings both resilience and creativity to everything he does. Since moving to Poulsbo in 2018, he has immersed himself in the community—serving on the Poulsbo Parks and Recreation Commission, helping bring the Raab Park Skatepark to life, and volunteering wherever students and families need support.

Stefan is a lifelong learner in every sense. He recently completed the Nonprofit Management program through UW Professional & Continuing Education and has thoughtfully applied what he learned to help the Foundation grow stronger and more sustainable. That combination of experience, curiosity, and care makes him uniquely prepared to lead the Foundation into its next chapter.

This isn’t a new direction—it’s a natural next step. And with Stefan at the helm, the future feels not only possible, but incredibly bright.

Looking Ahead: Growing Impact Together

Hiring our first Executive Director marks a shift in how the Foundation can serve North Kitsap schools.

This role allows us to move beyond reacting to needs as they arise and toward anticipating them, ensuring we can support classrooms before gaps widen. With dedicated leadership, the Foundation can expand classroom grants, strengthen partnerships, grow donor programs such as SPARK, Luminaries, Cornerstone Club, and Honor Roll, and more clearly communicate the impact of community generosity.

Most importantly, it allows us to better serve:

• Students, by expanding access to enriching, equitable learning experiences

• Educators, by helping turn innovative ideas into reality

• The district, by aligning Foundation support with evolving priorities

• Our community, by providing transparency, connection, and confidence in how support makes a difference

When classrooms are empowered, students thrive.

When students thrive, communities grow stronger.

Just the Beginning

This new chapter is about more than growth—it’s about possibility. It’s about deepening our impact, strengthening our partnership with schools, and opening doors to new opportunities for North Kitsap students. As the needs of our classrooms continue to rise, so does our commitment to meet them with creativity, care, and purpose.

We are thrilled to welcome Stefan Keel to this role. With his leadership, deep roots in our community, and unwavering passion for service, the Foundation is poised to do even more good, in even more meaningful ways. The future ahead is bright, hopeful, and full of promise.

This is just the beginning—and together, we can’t wait to see what we build next.