The Waukesha Education Foundation was delighted to deliver good news to educators across the district on Thursday about receiving funds to implement classroom grants during the 2023/24 school year.
The Waukesha Education Foundation, Inc. (WEF) is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that raises funds through annual community events to award grants each spring. Teachers and staff in the School District of Waukesha may submit grant proposals to the foundation, requesting support for projects, programs and initiatives that normally wouldn’t be covered in classroom and school budgets.
This year, the WEF was able to award 26 grants, totaling $50,000 and impacting 17 schools, the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium and the districtwide Environmental Education program. On Thursday, members from the Board of Directors and foundation supporters delivered grant notifications with novelty checks and prizes, and were greeted by staff and students alike with excitement and gratitude.
“Visiting schools to surprise teachers and staff members with good news is the highlight of our year,” said Dr. Gene Shoemaker, WEF Board President. “Their enthusiasm is wonderful to see and it serves as an excellent reminder of why our mission is important and why our organization exists.”
WEF is proud to have awarded $50,000 in grants, which is the largest amount in their twenty year history, thanks in part to a $7,500 gift from Generac Power Systems. This contribution was part of WEF’s new Classroom Connect program, a unique initiative that offers donors the chance to make a more direct impact on classrooms, and enabled the foundation to fund more STEM focused grants. The need to increase total available grant dollars continues to be present as the submitted proposals totaled to over $115,000. “Given the available resources, the selection team had to make some difficult decisions,” said Lynnette Kalmadge, WEF Executive Director. “I strive to form more business and community partnerships, and amplify our fundraising efforts so that we can say ‘yes’ to more grant seekers.”
Grants awarded this year were for a variety of projects and focuses including financial planning experiences, 3D printing, gardening, linking art with welding, developing elementary empowerment groups, hands-on STEM curriculum, theater technology, enhancements to high school culinary programs, eSports expansion and more.
“While each grant is unique, providing additional learning opportunities and enhancing the educational experience for students is something they all have in common,” said Janaka Subotnik, WEF Board VP and Chair of the Grants & Allocations team. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these projects across the district.”
This story was also featured in the Waukesha Freeman (5/20/23) https://waukeshafreeman-wi.newsmemory.com/?publink=09280134b_134ab9c
You can learn more about WEF and opportunities to get involved by visiting their website at www.waukeshaeducationfoundation.org.