By Lisa Smith Barr, Vice President, Public Relations, Board of Directors, The Bronxville School Foundation

Oct. 28, 2015:  The Bronxville School Foundation has launched its 2015 fundraising campaign. "This year marks the foundation's 25th year of funding projects that transform teaching and learning in our elementary, middle, and high schools," said foundation chair Ashley Hanrahan. Christine Fitzgibbons, vice president of development, added, "There are so many more great ideas we could support with additional donations. In our anniversary year, we hope to see participation by school families up by 25 percent and are asking current donors to consider adding a generous multiple of $25 to their support."

Founded as a nonprofit in 1991 by a group of forward-thinking community members, The Bronxville School Foundation raises funds from school families, community members, and alumni, and it awards grants in the spring for new progressive curriculum development, faculty training, facilities upgrades, and equipment beyond the scope of the district's budget.

Last year, the foundation awarded grants totaling $526,000 for projects that included modern, high-tech classrooms in the middle and high schools that foster creativity and collaboration, Chromebooks, training in instructional technology for the elementary school, professional development for faculty in cutting-edge teaching methods, sophisticated lab equipment for science research, and therapy that allows injured athletes to heal faster. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded 599 grants totaling more than $7.5 million.

The foundation relies almost exclusively on its fall campaign for grant money. Fitzgibbons said, "It's critical for our students and for the school that we increase our annual fundraising effort. School families and community members along with corporate matching sponsors are the key to our success." Executive Director Peggy Williams added, "It's the community's tradition of generosity and commitment to quality education that allows us to transform innovative grant ideas into reality."

For more information on the 2015 fundraising campaign and to make donations, please contact Peggy Williams, executive director, at 914-395-0515 or visit www.BronxvilleSchoolFoundation.org.

Pictured here:  Redesigned classroom in the high school.

Photo courtesy The Bronxville School