ABOUT MFEE
The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) was founded in 1991 to generate private funding and community support for Montclair Public Schools and to enhance the educational experience of all of Montclair’s public school students. It operates on a model common to all Local Education Funds (LEFs) in which collaboration—between educators, families and individuals, community groups and local businesses—forms the foundation for all programs and progress.
Since its inception, MFEE has grown from a tiny organization distributing a handful of grants, to a vital resource for improving public education in Montclair. Its primary activites are described below, and in greater detail elsewhere on this website.
Grant Programs
MFEE was founded with the belief that the best ideas for how to improve our schools often come from those inside them: teachers, principals, guidance counselors, librarians, and other participants in each school’s daily life. MFEE grant programs help these ideas come to life, expanding educational opportunities for our students.
In its 2008-2009 fiscal year, MFEE awarded over 200 grants totalling almost $300,000.
Initiatives
MFEE works in partnership with a wide range of individuals and organizations in Montclair to develop initiatives that benefit the entire Montclair Public School district. MFEE initiatives tackle district-wide needs such as after-school tutoring, arts education and under-resourced school libraries.
In its 2008-2009 fiscal year, MFEE spent $142,500 on initiatives.
Events
MFEE events raise money, but they also serve the important function of generating community-wide support for and involvement in Montclair Public Schools. From the annual Toast to the Teachers parties, which started in 1996, to the All-Adult Spelling Bees, MFEE events put the fun in fundraising while engaging the entire Montclair community in its public schools.
In its 2008-2009 fiscal year, thousands of Montclarians participated in the 14th annual Toast to the Teachers, the 6th annual Montclair Schools Rock!, and the inaugural Bingo & Baskets.
When I attended Edgemont, an MFEE grant enabled us to hear all kinds of music from around the world.... We played instruments from different cultures, and it was so much fun. Even as fourth- and fifth-graders, we were able to have the sort of extra special educational experience that makes a difference.
Kate Dopulos, MHS’09
MFEE is a member of the Public Education Network, a national association of local education funds.
MFEE | 22 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07042 | 973.509.4021 | fax 973.509.4098 | info@mfee.org | www.mfee.org
Copyright © 2010 Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence. All rights reserved. | Website created by Alexandra Dubow