The Bainbridge Island Special Needs Foundation (BISNF) was formed as the result of efforts that began around 1980. Several parents of profoundly handicapped children began meeting with each other, school educators, and other community resources to identify ways that could be employed to improve otherwise likely outcomes. These initial meetings resulted in the formation of a Special Parent Teacher Organization. This group provided certain steering and advisory functions, a lobby, and sources for funding needs not provided within the structure of state education. These functions continue today under a separate banner, while BISNF's focus has targeted the transition years and those that follow involvement in the public school system. The foundation's status as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation was formalized in 1999.