Above: SEF’s 2013 Award Winners (submitted photo)
This is part of a series profiling organizations in our community. Volunteers or staff will clarify who they are and what they do. You can learn about how to utlize their resources, join or help.
Southborough Education Foundation
Mission:
The mission of the Southborough Education Foundation (SEF) is to offer private funding through community support for creative and challenging programs that enhance the educational excellence of the Southborough public schools.
Main activities:
The Southborough Education Foundation (SEF) has begun its fourteenth* year of operation to support all Southborough public schools by providing grants for innovative, cutting edge programs.
Many of the grants initially funded by the SEF have become mainstays in our schools, including the ubiquitous use of smart board technology and iPads to enhance classroom instruction, grants for music programs, and grants for sports programs.
The SEF fills a gap by funding programs that are not funded by the traditional school budget and has distributed over $300,000 in grants*. One hundred percent of all funds raised are used to support Southborough school children. All contributions to the SEF are considered charitable contributions and therefore deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Grants are distributed each June. [Detailed descriptions of grants by year]** and other SEF information can be found on our website. www.southboroughed.org.
Our biggest challenge:
We always want to be prepared to contribute as much as we can to our wonderful school system and need to focus on fundraising each year.
How can people join?
We are always looking for new board members. We meet once a month and have one major fundraiser, the Annual Town Spelling Bee. We invite those interested in learning more to email us at info@southboroughed.org.
How can people best help?
Southborough residents can help SEF in several ways including:
- Participating in the Red Apple program which honors your children’s teachers during the holidays and school year end;
- Making a financial contribution to the SEF by becoming a member of the Southborough Education Foundation;
- Participating in our annual Spelling Bee as a sponsor, raffle or silent auction donor, program advertiser, and/or spectator.**
Contact:
info@southboroughed.org
*Numbers and figures as of October 2013.
**Updated (2/25/15 11:15 am): Updated some information specific to 2013 and the Spelling Bee information.
