Since 2007, the Nike School Innovation Fund has invested more than 12 million US dollars by partnering with schools to support teachers and engage students in realizing their full potential.

To consolidate a statewide initiative focused on accelerating college and career readiness for Oregon high school students created in 2015, the Nike School Innovation Fund has reinforced the funds by giving away 1.6 million US dollars. This brings the  given amount to date to a total of 3.4 million US dollars. Funds are directed to support school implementation of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) in 50 high schools. 2015 was also the first year Nike partnered with the James and Marion L. Miller Foundation and The Oregon Community Foundation to expand its reach into more Oregon schools.

For the 2016-17 school year, all 50 schools have implemented college and career readiness best practices and applied to renew funding to continue this work. Nike will continue to support these 50 schools, plus the program will expand to an additional 21 schools.

“It’s in Nike’s DNA to inspire and innovate, and we believe that one of the most important ways we can contribute to better, stronger communities is to take that inspiration to our classrooms”, stated Keith Houlemard, Executive Sponsor of Nike School Innovation Fund, VP and GM of the Olympics at NIKE, Inc., adding: “Our goal is to help support amazing teachers, counselors and principals so we can improve graduation rates, narrowing the achievement gap and preparing more students for college and beyond.”