Who is the Cohasset Education Foundation?

The Cohasset Education Foundation (CEF) was founded in 1992 and reinvigorated in 2006.  The Cohasset Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, financed completely through private funds, that works in close coordination with teachers and school administrators. 

In the last five years, the CEF has raised over $1.2 million in donations to support and improve our public schools.  Contributions can be made to the Project Fund, which supports approved grant proposals, or to the Endowment Fund, a principal-preserved permanent fund which supports the long-term health of our schools.  Undesignated gifts are divided equally between the two funds.

The CEF helps to provide the incremental resources for programs and materials that are not covered by the Cohasset School District’s operating budget, but our strategic focus is to expand the breadth and depth of the types of projects we support.  Going forward, the CEF would like to continue to partner with the School District and the Town of Cohasset in funding large scale projects, as we recently did with the wireless grant made in September 2011.

2.

Who is on the CEF Board of Directors?

The CEF is made up of eighteen volunteers and residents of Cohasset who are passionate about public education.  Members serve three-year renewable terms.  Below is a list of the Board members for the 2011-2012 school year:
 

3.

What is the CEF’s Mission and Operating Principles?

The mission of the CEF is to work in partnership with our schools and the community at large to promote excellence in Cohasset’s public education. 

The CEF recently went through a vigorous strategic planning process focusing on goals for the next five years and clarifying the operating principles and mission statement of the organization.  The result is a new set of operating principles for the CEF:

4.

How does the CEF raise money?

Each year, the fundraising starts anew.  There are many ways to give – chose one opportunity, chose multiple opportunities, but please participate in promoting excellence in Cohasset public schools.

5.

Since 2007, the CEF has raised over $1.2 million in donations to promote excellence in the Cohasset public schools.  The mission of the CEF is to collaborate with the school system and look for strategic opportunities where it can invest Project Funds raised on an annual basis in the school system.  In five years, the CEF has invested over $590,000 in 30 grants to Cohasset’s four schools.  The Endowment Funds raised annual are contributed to a principal protected endowment.  The endowment balance is currently approaching close to $500,000.  As part of the five year strategic plan, the CEF plans to use a portion of the investment income from the endowment to fund Teacher Innovation Grants. 

6.

What kind of donations can you make to the CEF?

The CEF welcomes donations large and small.  Although donor participation has been noteworthy, we continue to work hard to communicate our mission to the community and hope that our donor base continues to grow year to year.  To recognize donors, the CEF has established the following annual and lifetime giving levels:
 

7.

What types of grants does the CEF fund?

The CEF funds two types of grants: Strategic Investment Grants and Teacher Innovation Grants.  Strategic Investment Grants vary in size, but historically have averaged $20,000 per grant.  In the last five year, the CEF has awarded 30 Strategic Investment Grants.  A full listing of these grants is available on the web site under the Grants tab.

Strategic Investment Grant applications are submitted, reviewed and awarded twice per year.  Grants must be submitted by the November 15^th or May 15^th deadline and will be awarded on either December 15^th or June 15^th. The criteria the CEF uses to evaluate each application include:  impact (breadth and depth), sustainability, and cost efficiency.  Going forward, we will focus on measuring, tracking and communicating the success and impact of each of our grants to ensure that we continue to fund high-value, high-return projects.

Our strategic focus is to expand the types of projects we support as the opportunities become available.  Based on findings from the 2011 strategic planning process, we will aim to support initiatives across grade levels and subjects in several key areas including:

• 21^st Century Classroom
• Expanding Core Curriculum
• After-School Enrichment
• College Preparatory / Other

We are excited to announce a new Teacher Innovation Grants program.  The objective of Teacher Innovation Grants is to encourage innovation and creativity in the classroom by providing teachers with the resources they need to turn a great idea into a reality.  The CEF expects that the average size of these Teacher Innovation Grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000.  If successful, these projects and programs may then be folded into the on-going curriculum. 

At the end of each fiscal year, a portion of the interest earned on the CEF's endowment will be placed into the Teacher Innovation Fund.  Grant applications will be submitted, once per year with a deadline of April 30^th.  Based on the strength of applications submitted, these funds will be awarded to teachers on May 30^th of each year -- either individually or collaboratively -- to develop innovative programs in and across their classrooms.  Our hope is to fund a diverse set of projects each year, spread across schools, grade levels and subjects.  We will also encourage initiatives that are interdisciplinary in nature.  We look forward to sharing more with you about this exciting new program.

8.

How are grants approved? Who reviews grant applications?

The Strategic Investment Grants and Teacher Innovation Grants process begins with a short pre-grant application questionnaire which acts a screening tool for the applicant and the CEF.  This questionnaire is completed and submitted to the Principal.  If approved, the grant applicant moves to completing a full grant application. 

In the case of Strategic Investment Grants, the full grant application is then forwarded to the superintendent for review.  The CEF Grants Committee reviews the applications and presents its recommendations to the CEF Board of Directors for a final vote.  Awards are announced on December 15^th and June 15^th each year.  In the case of Teacher Innovation Grants, the full grant application is then forwarded to the CEF school liaison.  The CEF Innovation Grants Committee reviews all grants with its awards announced on May 30^th each year. 

If you have questions regarding the process or are interested in submitting a grant, below is a list of contacts for Strategic Investment Grants and Teacher Innovation Grants.

Strategic Investment Grants Committee Chair
Rob Skolnick, robskolnick@cohasseteducation.org    

Teacher Innovation Grants Committee Chair
Jen Thomas, jenthomas@cohasseteducation.org   

Osgood School Liaison
Deb Thomas, debthomas@cohasseteducation.org 

Deer Hill School Liaison
Donna Hayden, hayden.d@comcast.net 

Middle School Liaison
Sean Cunning, seancunning@cohasseteducation.org 

High School Liaison
Nancy Sandell, nancysandell@comcast.net 

9.

How can I help?

In addition to financial support, volunteering is a great way to give back to the schools.  Many opportunities exist throughout the school year to help with the various fundraisers.   If you would like to volunteer at a CEF event, please contact the CEF at info@cohasseteducation.org. 

10.

Who can I call if I have questions about the CEF?

For questions and additional information about the CEF, please contact us at info@cohasseteducation.org. 

Or if you prefer, you can also contact any of the CEF Board members.  The e-mail addresses for all the CEF Board members can by found by clicking on the About Us tab at www.cohasseteducation.org.