For 42 years, the Special Education Foundation (SEF) has been helping remove barriers and create opportunities for students with disabilities served by the Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD). Established in 1984 as Missouri's first public school foundation, SEF was created to provide resources beyond what tax dollars can fund—ensuring students have access to experiences, equipment, and opportunities that help them thrive.
Today, SSD serves approximately 25,000 students, ages 3 to 21, across St. Louis County. Services are individualized through each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), meeting students where they are and helping them reach their fullest potential.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, corporate partners, grant funders, and participants in the annual Dan McLaughlin Charity Golf Tournament & Auction, SEF can bridge funding gaps and respond to needs that directly impact students' success.
During the 2025–2026 school year, SEF impacted more than 8,000 students through programs that support learning, independence, and inclusion. This included:
- Funding Classroom Innovation Grants, benefiting more than 5,400 students through creative educational projects.
- Providing adaptive and assistive equipment, hearing devices, and other specialized resources that help students communicate, learn, and participate more fully.
- Helping families through the Student Aid Fund for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.), providing essential items such as food, clothing, prescriptions, and other emergency assistance.
- Awarding Kid-to-Camp scholarships so 29 students could attend winter, spring, and summer camps designed to build friendships, confidence, and new skills.
Supporting students through the Autism Independence Project, leadership development programs, scholarships, arts experiences, and other opportunities that foster growth both inside and outside the classroom.
As the needs of students and families continue to grow, so does the importance of community support. Every gift to SEF helps ensure students with disabilities have access to opportunities that inspire confidence, encourage independence, and unlock their potential.
