The Tradition of Excellence Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to promote and support programs of academic, artistic, and athletic excellence.  Founded in 1988, the Foundation provides a tax-deductible vehicle for citizens, businesses and foundations to contribute to Cheyenne Mountain School District 12. The Tradition of Excellence Foundation operates independently from, but in cooperation with, the D12 Board of Education and district administration officials and staff to identify specific needs that the school district is unable to fund, either by law or by budgetary limitations.

The Foundation solicits donations throughout the year and as well as collaborating with community businesses, it is also currently working more strategically and cooperatively with the Broadmoor Hotel/Cheyenne Mountain School District Partnership in Education. 

Beginning in 2008, the Foundation has overseen sponsorship contributions to the annual golf tournament held in October, while the Partnership in Education continues to run the event itself.  Additionally, the Foundation now plays a significant part in the annual District 12 Auctions held at the Broadmoor Hotel, providing donors with a tax-deductible incentive to participate. This year's Auction will take place on March 17, 2010.  The golf tournament has been held each fall since 1994 and raises approximately $20,000 annually. The auction has been held ten times since its inception 14 years ago. Together, these two events have contributed more than $600,000 to the Cheyenne Mountain School District.
       
In future, the Foundation's Board will work with the district to determine how proceeds from all fund-raising efforts, including Partnership in Education events, can best be utilized.  Recent grants have supported activities such as the district's Science Olympiad participation, technology upgrades, athletic training room equipment, and advanced science lab equipment.

All these efforts reflect the Foundation's goal of providing a long-term, sustainable funding source for the district and of supporting programs that enhance the quality of the curriculum in District 12 schools.

The Tradition of Excellence Foundation, as set out in its statement of principles, believes that:

• Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 is the centerpiece of our Cheyenne Mountain Community and is a source of both pride and responsibility for all of our citizens. We achieve excellence in our schools only through ongoing community support and collaboration.
• As the school district's mission is to empower our students to be contributing citizens, the Foundation offers an opportunity to model such citizenship through opportunities for volunteer involvement and funding support.
• The first responsibility of our community's citizens is to support the district by voting in school board, budget and bond elections. The Foundation endorses a strong public school model and the Foundation's fund development efforts are not in conflict with, nor an alternative to, public tax support.
• The Foundation should strive to provide sustainable funding for programs of excellence. Funds should support excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics in our district's schools. The Foundation should achieve its mission through fundraising efforts, including charitable events such as those organized by the Partnership for Education, and the solicitation of direct donations.
• While growing an endowment fund is a part of a long term sustainable funding goal, the  Foundation will continue to raise funds on an annual basis to support programs that enhance the quality of the school curriculum and, from time to time, provide grants for schools and individual classrooms.