Susan Esau, who has headed the Lawrence Schools Foundation since 2003, has announced she will retire from that post in September, shortly after the organization’s annual breakfast.

“I have had the privilege of becoming acquainted and working with a vast number of wonderful, generous people over the last eleven years,” Esau said in a news release. “It has been my pleasure to work with the volunteers who have served on the Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as the school board, district administration, teachers and staff, students and our faithful and generous donors.”

The foundation raises money to enrich education programs in the Lawrence school district by helping fund early childhood education, innovative teaching and learning opportunities, recognition of outstanding educators and encouragement of student achievement.

In 2013, the Foundation generated more than $715,000 and provided nearly $216,000 in grants, $25,165 in cash awards and $58,750 in scholarships, affecting more than 2,800 students and teachers, the foundation said. In addition, community partnerships provided volunteers and in-kind contributions valued at $1 million through Lawrence Education Achievement Partners, or LEAP, a district program managed by the foundation.

“Susan’s leadership has led to a significant increase in support for students and teachers in the Lawrence Public Schools,” Martin Moore, president of the foundation’s board of trustees, said in the news release. “Under Susan’s direction, the foundation has raised more than $4 million in direct contributions and increased awareness through our signature fundraising events, the Community Education Breakfast and the Foundation Follies. We’ve nearly doubled direct program support for early childhood education, grants and awards for teachers and scholarships for students.”

Esau said she plans to join her husband, John, at Keller Williams Realty in Lawrence.

The board of trustees said it plans to launch a search for a new executive director.