2019 Award Winners – New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership

Award Recipients Announced

On Friday, March 29, 2019 New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership held its second annual education foundation recognition event at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course in West Windsor, NJ. The luncheon will shine a light on the education foundations, funders of these foundations and community partners.

The award-winning education foundations were selected by a committee of judges comprised of NJEFP partners who are also national and state leaders in the education foundation community, including: Trudy Doyle, immediate past President, NJEFP and retired Executive County Superintendent; Shawn Gillon, Treasurer, NJEFP and CPA/Partner, Withum; Robin Callahan, Executive Director, National School Foundation Association; Tracy Burger, Associate Director, Consortium of Florida Education Foundations; and, Rita Nini, Manager, Community Relations, Educational Testing Service (ETS)*.

The judges were very impressed by the high quality of the applications. The judging process was not an easy task. The number of applications clearly demonstrates that education foundations are doing exceptional and outstanding work all over this state, and we are eager and proud to share these stories. The award recipients are as follows:

Outstanding Large Education Foundation:

Morris Educational Foundation

This award is given to the New Jersey education foundation that has made a significant impact on its school district. This can be measured in terms of financial support, community outreach and involvement, district initiatives and/or student impact. Annual revenues of $50,000 or more.

Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) is receiving this award for its innovative, collaborative and exceptional financial support of the Morris School District (MSD), a K-12 district that serves 5,200 students. Giving more than $3.5 million to the schools since its founding in 1992, the MEF has underwritten grants that impact the diverse constituencies in the schools, funded many district-wide initiatives, and provided many graduating seniors with college scholarships. In 2018, the MEF awarded fifteen scholarships offering over $125,000 in awards. Last year, the MEF was the recipient of a new $1,000,000 donation for this purpose. In celebration of the MEF’s 25th anniversary in 2018, the MEF elected to give each of the ten schools a $5,000 “gratitude” grant for a project of their choosing. In addition to its role as the primary fundraising partner for the MSD, it also serves as the “connector” for the District and its community neighbors. Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast said “Indeed, the Morris School District administration has an ambitious, comprehensive vision for the direction of our schools. I am confident that we will be able to realize the most important elements of that vision as a direct result of our partnership with the MEF.” Learn more about the MEF.

Outstanding Small Education Foundation:

Ocean City Education Foundation

The Ocean City Education Foundation (OCEF) garnered the award in recognition of their outstanding fundraising efforts, commitment to mission, and support for the overall Ocean City School District which serves 2,100 students. This year the foundation exceeded their fundraising expectations. To build awareness and relationships, OCEF board members attended different school and community events as well as traveling to the sending districts to increase exposure for the foundation and its effort to raise funds. OCEF provides opportunities for district teachers and staff to develop innovative projects through grants; investing in programs that have a positive impact on student success; and developing an alumni network to encourage continued interest in and support of public education. Dr. Kathleen Taylor, Superintendent, nominated the OCEF for this award and said “The foundation is a dedicated group of board members with a strong community backing them…they continue to work towards a community where every Ocean City student can achieve his or her highest potential, every teacher has the resources to educate effectively, and every administrator can provide exemplary support and leadership.” Learn more about the OCEF.

Outstanding Education Foundation Program:

North Hunterdon Education Foundation

Program Title: College Bound Programs

This award is given to an outstanding program that is either funded or run by the education foundation in its district. The program must demonstrate significant impact on students.

The North Hunterdon Education Foundation (NHEF) is being recognized for their College Bound Program NHEF created the program to help North Hunterdon High School students and their families achieve success when selecting and applying to colleges. NHEF brings nearly one hundred college recruiters to the high school campus each year. Additionally, they instituted “parent chats” after Guidance Department Information Nights to help close the information gap for parents on the college search process. Through this program, the NHEF administers mock interview sessions for students, brings in college admissions personnel to counsel seniors regarding college essays, funds college visits, and provides a common application essay writing workshop each summer. The NHEF has plans to include additional programming that illustrates to students and parents how admissions decisions are made at a college and more practical information on how a student can prepare for the transition to college life. The High School principal said “Before these workshops, if a student needed help with their essay, the family had to find a consultant who could help. The NHEF workshop was minimally priced and subsidized by the NHEF such that families can afford to have their student receive help.” Learn more about the NHEF.

Outstanding Achievement in Fundraising:

Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence

Event Fundraiser: Showdown Montclair!

This award is given for outstanding achievement in fundraising by an education foundation. The award will be given for an event or campaign that has engaged the community at large and raised significant funds for the district.

Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is receiving this award for Showdown Montclair! The MFEE describes this event as a mash-up of America’s Got Talent, The Voice, and Survivor. The event grossed more than $60,000 in its first year, and engaged almost 1,000 people as performers, attendees, donors, and volunteers. The fundraising twist for this staged competition was to create individual and unique crowdfunding pages for each of the ten selected acts to raise a minimum of $750 to perform and compete, along with paid votes on the day of the event, sponsorships, and ticket sales, and also by engaging stakeholder groups to increase the fundraising base. To increase excitement the MFEE created their own set of carpool karaoke’s videos. Contestants, principals, teachers and sponsors participated in these videos which provided an opportunity to highlight the positive relationship between the foundation and district: the MFEE/Principal karaoke video was sung to You’ve Got A Friend in Me. A parent commented “…you (the MFEE) are able to remind our community to come together in laughter and support!” Showdown Montclair is a powerful example for idea-sharing between education foundations. Learn more about the MFEE.

Outstanding Partner – Funder:

Lawrence Township Education Foundation

Funder: ETS

This award is given to an outstanding education foundation funding partner. The award may be given to a corporation, philanthropist or foundation that has given significant funding to an education foundation.

Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) nominated ETS (Educational Testing Service), which is also headquartered in Lawrence Township. The LTEF was one of the first education foundations in New Jersey. ETS provided the guidance and support that laid the foundation for inception of the LTEF and has been a vital partner in its continued success. LTEF has funded over 780 programs in the Lawrence schools with grants in excess of $3.6 million. ETS has contributed nearly $2.8 million to LTEF and is a big part of its impact on the educational experiences of students in Lawrence Township. In addition, for each of the past eight years, ETS has donated the venue and resources for the very successful LTEF Handbag Bingo event which raises approximately $30,000 annually. ETS also provided technical advice to streamline LTEF’s grant process. Additionally, ETS employees serve on the foundation’s board. ETS President, Walt MacDonald, stated “It is ETS’s mission to help advance quality and equity in education…this contribution is just one indication of our support for the LTEF and their fine work.” Learn more about the LTEF.

Outstanding Partner – Superintendent:

Hoboken Public Education Foundation

Superintendent: Dr. Christine Johnson

This award is given to a superintendent who has been an outstanding education foundation partner.

Outstanding Partner/Superintendent is awarded to Dr. Christine Johnson, Superintendent of Hoboken Public School District. She is being recognized for her commitment and dedication to both the students and the mission of HPEF. Dr. Johnson identifies innovative, outside-the-box initiatives for HPEF to fund, personally recognizes and fundraises for the organization, provides resources and assistance, and connects HPEF to parents, sponsors, funders, and the community. HPEF credits Dr. Johnson with much of the success it has enjoyed since incorporating in 2015. An example of her commitment to the HPEF took place in 2016 when the foundation was new and the community was unfamiliar with the organization. The HPEF needed to sell 150 Gala tickets. Dr. Johnson personally reached out to teachers and staff asking for their support. HPEF Co-Founder Jackie Dowd described Dr. Johnson as “a visionary. She has big ideas and she is able to execute quickly and effectively on those ideas… Most of all, it is clear that Dr. Johnson cares so very deeply about Hoboken, our children and our district public schools. She is an inspiration to so many and a dedicated and invaluable partner to HPEF.” Learn more about the HPEF.

Recognition of Outstanding Volunteers

New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership recognizes that local education foundations are sustained by their volunteers. They could not succeed without the tireless hours of service and dedication of volunteers. NJEFP invited all education foundations to select one of its own volunteers to be recognized for their hard work, generosity of time and unwavering commitment to their education foundation. Listed below are volunteers, described by their colleagues, deserving an extra recognition. NJEFP proudly recognizes these individuals.

The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) recognizes Ann Rhines as an Outstanding Volunteer. Ann is a life-long educator, active community participant and experienced Board of Education member with a deep understanding of student needs. She has been an MEF trustee for the past sixteen years, a member of our Board of Education for fifteen years and was an educator in our district prior to these endeavors. She has led the Grants Committee for many years. Ann is being honored for her outstanding commitment and tireless dedication to the 5,200 children in the Morris School District.

The Netcong Education Foundation (NEF) recognizes Bernadette Dalesandro as an Outstanding Volunteer. Bernadette works tirelessly to advance the mission of the Netcong Education Foundation and has been integral to their success in raising $40,000 over the last three years at the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner: Italian Style Technology Fundraiser. Monies raised have been used to purchase technology, specifically Chromebooks, for the students in the Netcong School District.

The East Brunswick Education Foundation recognizes Paul Schoen as an Outstanding Volunteer. Paul has been the Treasurer (and so much more) of the East Brunswick Education Foundation for over fifteen years, a role he took on ‘part time’ after retirement while his wife was working in our schools. ‘Part-time’ in quotes because a new Superintendent saw Paul in our Administration office so frequently (checking mail, dropping off checks, handling logistics for our major fundraisers and so much more) that he thought Paul was a full-time employee of the district!

The Freehold Borough Educational Foundation recognizes Tammy Ciokas an Outstanding Volunteer. Tammy is our “inside advantage!” As a member of the administrative staff for the Board of Education, Tammy is essential to the ongoing operations of our Foundation. She voluntarily monitors the grant proposal process, oversees the end of year and holiday season S.T.A.R.S. recognition program, handles correspondence, checks, and mailings. Tammy is vital to the success of our virtual organization!

The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) would like to recognize Bridget Placek. Bridgetjumped into MFEE work before she had a child in our public schools! Her oldest had not entered kindergarten when she served as our Volunteer Coordinator for the Amazing FundRACER. She recruited, managed, and supported over 100 volunteers for this event. She then coordinated the MFEE You Got This! Conferencefor parents of our youngest learners, and recruited workshop leaders, managed a complicated online registration process, and run childcare for 125 little ones. As a former teacher and Vice Principal, she has been an enormous asset as one of our grants liaisons. Bridget cares deeply about excellence and equity, and she has been a vital member of our new initiative to launch community-wide conversations on race and equity using the documentary series America to Me. She has personally recruited several new generous donors who also are committed to leveling the playing field for our economically disadvantaged students. Bridget is a force of nature, and we are blessed to have her on our team.

It is an honor for NJEFP to showcase the good work being done but education foundations thoroughout the state. We know the it is not easy and we applaud the hard work being done by all of our members.

Membership in NJEFP was not a prerequisite for nominations.

*Disclaimer: Ms. Nini recused herself from reviewing applications in the Outstanding Partner/Funder category.

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