Oliver's Fund Grants

Oliver’s Fund was created by family and friends to honor the life of Oliver Zlonis who graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 2002. Oliver was 19 when he died by suicide.

Make a gift to Oliver's Fund

Since 2004, Oliver's Fund has donated more than $60,000 to support the mental health and wellness of students in the Mahtomedi Public Schools. Initially, the primary focus of Oliver’s Fund was to identify students who may be in need of support by funding depression screenings in the high school health classes and helping students and staff learn about symptoms and warning signs.  Oliver’s Fund has also provided funding for speakers, dramatic presentations for students, workshops for parents, and staff development on topics such a stress, grief and loss, trauma, facing adversity, substance abuse, and bullying. 

Grants from Oliver’s Fund are awarded to projects which increase awareness of the critical issues of depression and suicide, reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, and help create an environment where young people in Mahtomedi feel able to connect and contribute to the community.

Spring 2026 Grant Recipient

National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference

In partnership with a MAEF Classroom Grant, this grant provides funding for two middle school mental health staff members to attend the National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference.

Conference attendees will learn the latest research, strategies, and best practices for supporting students’ mental health and emotional well-being in schools by giving them access to current training and evidence-based practices.

Middle school students face many emotional, social, and academic challenges, and schools are seeing increasing mental health needs among students. By attending this conference, staff will gain updated knowledge on:

  • Mental health supports for students

  • Prevention and intervention strategies

  • Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)

  • School-wide wellness programs

*Funding for this classroom grant is provided by Oliver’s Fund and MAEF Classroom Grants.

Fall 2025 Grant Recipient

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Professional Learning Conference

The O.H. Anderson Elementary school psychologist will be attending the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, one of the nation’s leading conferences for evidence-based academic, behavioral, and mental health practices. Participation will strengthen services provided to approximately 120 students in grades 3–5 who receive special education or intensive social-emotional support, while also enhancing districtwide multi-tiered systems of support, mental health programming, and staff collaboration. The professional learning experience will equip the psychologist with up-to-date research, tools, and interventions that can be implemented immediately and shared through training with special education and student support teams.

*Funding for this classroom grant is provided by Oliver’s Fund and Hansen Inspired Teacher Grants.