Tom Guild grew up in poverty in South Wichita, attending Payne Elementary School. Later his family including his older brother Robert, moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where both were abandoned by their parents. Tom lived in foster care and the Tulsa Boys’ Home and Robert returned to Wichita to live with an aunt to finish high school. Despite his tumultuous childhood, Tom went on to not only graduate high school and earn a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma, but he graduated from Southern Methodist University of Law, earning a JD. Tommy credits his success in part to the teachers at Payne Elementary. Tom says, “the teachers at Payne were often the only people in my life who cared about me, my parents were absent, but I knew I was safe at school.” 

 

Tommy taught law at both the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University for many years, hoping to have the same impact on his students as his teachers had on him.

 

Inspired by the lasting impact of his Wichita Public School teachers, Tom established Tommy’s Fund in 1996 to support students at Payne Elementary growing up in poverty in Wichita. When Payne closed, his support remained, helping students in the same neighborhood where he grew up. Through Tommy’s Fund, students receive clothes, shoes, coats and school supplies. 

 

In celebration of the 30th year of Tommy’s Fund in 2026, Tommy’s Fund is expanding to support all Wichita Elementary Schools. 

 

How it Works

 

Tommy’s Fund is open to all elementary school social workers, nurse’s and counselors. Staff fill out a request form, which is reviewed monthly by the WPS Foundation Programming Committee, and funding is provided to the school staff. The staff then work with the family to schedule a shopping day to purchase necessary basic needs items.

 

A program that started at Payne Elementary, has now expanded to all Wichita elementary schools, Tommy’s Fund ensures all students have the tools they need to thrive.