By Joseph Hutchins, Member, Board of Directors, The Bronxville School Foundation

Nov. 2, 2016:  The Bronxville School Foundation has launched its fall fundraising campaign. Founded by a group of forward-thinking community members in 1991, The Bronxville School Foundation raises funds each year for projects proposed mainly by teachers and administrators that provide students with educational experiences beyond the scope of the school’s budget. 

"With the district budget tightening, Foundation grants and the projects they fund are more important than ever to maintain the school's excellence and fulfill  the Bronxville Promise for our children. We can't do it without the support of the Bronxville community. I hope that everyone will donate generously to this year's community drive," stated Lisa Barr, chairman of the board.   

Last year, the Foundation awarded forty-four grants totaling $775,000 that included exciting, weeklong i2 Learning STEM immersion projects for the elementary and middle schools, a school energy audit project aided by high school science students and a MakerSpace transformation for the elementary library. Since its inception 26 years ago, the Foundation has awarded 643 grants totaling more than $8.3 million to strengthen the curriculum through innovative programs, faculty training, and enhanced educational resources, and to provide new technologies and improvements to school facilities and equipment. Almost $4 million of these grants were awarded in just the past six years. 

The Foundation’s grants committee is actively engaged with the district to understand the highest-priority programming, equipment, and professional development that still falls outside of what the school budget is able to cover. Money raised last year was immediately put to work this summer. "We were able to fund training across all three schools in several new teaching strategies, including the Columbia Teachers College Writing and Reading program, as well as project-based learning and Socratic seminar methods. We also funded the renovation of the Cardio Center and Weight rooms used by physical education classes and team athletes, in addition to funding many other programs," stated Jennifer Thomas, vice president of development. 

The Foundation relies almost exclusively on its fall campaign for grant money. "A strong response by school families and community members to our fall fundraising letter is essential to our success. We hope even more families will support the Foundation this year," said Thomas.   

In the 2017 spring grant process, the Foundation will be carefully reviewing grant applications from administrators, faculty, students, and parents. "It's the community's tradition of generosity and commitment to quality education that allows us to transform innovative grant ideas into reality," said Executive Director Peggy Williams.   

For more information on the fall 2016 campaign and to make donations, please contact Peggy Williams, executive director, at 914-395-0515 or visit www.BronxvilleSchoolFoundation.org.

Pictured here:  Bronxville Elementary School students participating in an experiment funded by The Bronxville School Foundation.

Photo courtesy Joseph Hutchins, Member, Board of Directors, The Bronxville School Foundation