Les Schwab Tires has formed the Les Schwab Foundation, a charitable organization created to support the communities the company serves. The foundation's first commitment is $100,000 to help with recovery after the Oct. 15 shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Ore., the company's hometown. The company announced the foundation on Oct. 27.
How the $100,000 is divided
Les Schwab Tires says it structured the commitment to support the people closest to the shooting, to address recovery across the wider school community, and to respond to needs as they emerge through trusted local nonprofits.
$40,000 goes directly to Silver Rail Elementary and its parent-teacher organization to help students, families and educators with ongoing recovery. Another $30,000 goes to Bend-La Pine Schools to support recovery across the district. The remaining $30,000 is being directed through a partnership with Oregon Community Foundation, which will use its local expertise to put the money toward recovery as opportunities arise.
What the foundation is for
The foundation has been in development since May 2026, when Les Schwab Tires formalized its commitment to accelerate crisis recovery. CEO Tom Nolan said taking care of employees and the communities the company serves has been a priority since founder Les Schwab started the business, and that the foundation is a way to carry that forward. He added:
The Silver Rail tragedy happening in our own backyard is devastating, yet it makes the Les Schwab Foundation's mission immediately actionable. The foundation gives us an intentional way to help employees in need, invest in nonprofit partners and respond to crises in the communities we serve.
Tom Nolan, CEO of Les Schwab Tires
Comments from the school district and Oregon Community Foundation
Scott Maben, spokesperson for the Bend-La Pine school district, said:
All of us at Bend-La Pine Schools are incredibly grateful for the Les Schwab Foundation's generous support. This commitment will directly support the Silver Rail Elementary School community as it recovers from the October 15th tragedy.
Scott Maben, spokesperson for the Bend-La Pine school district
Kenny Parsons, philanthropic advisor and regional director for Central and Eastern Oregon at Oregon Community Foundation, said:
Oregon Community Foundation is proud to partner with Les Schwab Foundation in support of the Bend community. All of us at Oregon Community Foundation have been inspired by the way Oregonians have come together with generosity, compassion and resolve to support students, families and educators affected by this tragedy.
Kenny Parsons, philanthropic advisor and regional director for Central and Eastern Oregon, Oregon Community Foundation
About Les Schwab Tires
Les Schwab Tires says it has 630 locations and more than 9,000 employees. The company started in 1952 as a small tire shop in Central Oregon, the region it still calls home. More about the company is available from Les Schwab Tires, and the Les Schwab Foundation page has further information about the foundation and its initiatives.
