MFEE is established by a small group of Montclair Public School advocates. Joyce Michaelson is named President.

1991

Professional Development Grants program is established in memory of Marcia Greenwald, providing grants to enable teachers to pursue education and training opportunities to improve their skills in the classroom.

1993

Professional Development Grants totalling $7,200 are awarded to 19 MPS faculty.

The Montclair Foundation awards the first of ten grants to MFEE in support of the Summer Scholars program.

1995

Lois Whipple comes on board as Executive Director.

1997

Dedication and opening of the David Greenwald Challenge Course in Rand Park at MHS.

The Turner Family Foundation underwrites the Social Problem Solving Grants program to promote conflict resolution and school safety.

1998

Julie Cerf is named new MFEE president. Joyce Michaelson remains as Chairperson.

Over 120 contestants compete in the first of three Annual All-Adult Spelling Bees, raising $100,000 for the Children’s Literature Initiative.

2000

MFEE produces the first MHS Alumni Directory.

The Turner Foundation supports a new public relations campaign: A Major University? No, it’s Montclair High School!

Invited to join the Public Education Network (PEN), a national consortium of local education funds.

Robin Schlager appointed Associate Director.

MFEE celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a Toast to the Donors at the Montclair Art Museum, honoring 14 of its most loyal and generous supporters.

2002

MHS Design for the 21st Century Advisory Board issues a report, noting that five small learning communities now enroll 25% of MHS students. MFEE presidents Jo-Ann McCullough and Julie Cerf, co-chairs of the Advisory Board, receive the Walter Lack Disinguished Voluntarism Award from the School District.

MFEE convenes a District-wide Forum for school administrators and community members entitled Building Learning Communities with Character, featuring experts in the forefront of character education.

The Weston Engineering and Robotics Center at MHS is established with a grant from Josh and Judy Weston.

1,500 people participate in the MFEE Gourmet Kitchen Tour, raising $60,000 for MFEE grants and initiatives. Chefs from local restaurants and caterers prepare treats for visitors to some of Montclair’s most fabulous private kitchens.

2004

Over 400 people attend the first Montclair Rocks! concert, featuring parent rockers of Cranetown band and raising funds for True Blue Spirit and a grant in every school.

A book collection commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision is purchased for each school through the Children’s Literature Initiative.

IMANI College Advocacy Center opens at St. Luke’s Church, offering college and financial aid application assistance to MHS students and families.

Major funding is provided by the Bestfoods Educational Foundation.

An anonymous family donation funds a model classroom at the Developmental Learning Center.

Thousands of Montclair residents participate in Montclair Reads!, reading the acclaimed book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Over 200 community groups join in,

2006

organizing slide shows, discussion groups, readings and other activities for adults and children based on the book and its themes. Five dinners featuring guest experts on Afghani culture help raise funds for the Children’s Literature Initiative.

The MFEE Laraja Gallery at MHS opens with an inaugural exhibition on themes from The Kite Runner.

MFEE Board approves new Magnet Enhancement Grant program designating up to $10,000 for each school for school-wide improvement projects.

1992

MFEE awards its first ten grants to teachers, totalling $7,500.

Julie Jackson is named chair of the Grants Committee.

1994

MFEE sponsors forty low-income students
to enroll in summer academic enrichment programs, marking the beginning of the Summer Scholars program.

1996

The first season of Toast to the Teachers kicks off with nine
parties honoring nine teachers.

Overall, MFEE receives $185,000 in donations, a ten-fold increase from its first year.

1999

Inception of the Children Literature Initiative with book collections purchased for each elementary school.

MHS Design for the 21st Century Committee, a partnership with the school district to create small learning communities within the high school. Major funders include the US Department of Education and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

IMANI, a school-community initiative focused on closing achievement gaps, joins forces with MFEE.

After-School Community Tutoring Program launched in partnership with the Board of Education, United Way, Montclair State University, YWCA (now the Montclair Fund for Women), and houses of worship, serving 75 children at seven sites.

2001

with MHS and its Alumni Association to form the True Blue Spirit Athletic Improvement Initiative to improve athletic programs and facilities at MHS.

John McMullen, Josh Weston and John Whitehead spearhead an athletic complex capital campaign with a leadership gift of $750,000.

Health & Wellness Initiative produces a comprehensive Community Resource Guide for Montclair Public Schools; Health & Wellness projects are funded in each school.

Superintendent Michael Osnato convenes the District Leadership Team which pursues Quality NJ benchmarks: Monclair Public Schools win the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Performance Excellence for two consecutive years.

MFEE Commits $20,000 for the Assessment and Accountability Initiative, including development of a database to track student performance.

2003

JoAnn McCullough is named the new MFEE president.

20th Anniversary of the first local education fund in the US.

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the Fund for New Jersey both recognize MFEE for its work towards closing the achievement gap. The two foundations award MFEE $50,000 for the District Leadership Team.

$250,000 in equipment is donated for a new fitness center at MHS through the True Blue Spirit Initiative.

True Blue Spirit launches the first-ever MHS Crew team with 45 students participating and a small fleet of boats. A Three Mile Walk parade of athletes for True Blue is sponsored by Schweppe & Co. Realtors.

MFEE sponsors the School-Community Initiatives Forum to share best practices and leverage resources. Participants include representatives from IMANI, Health & Wellness, Writers’ Room, True Blue Spirit, District Leadership Team, Children’s Literature Initiative, JUMPS (Join Us for Montclair Public Schools), Arts Gold Standard Initiative, and Council of Montclair PTAs.

2005

Judith McGhee is named MFEE President.

Arts Gold Standard Initiative develops a website, resource directory and clearinghouse on arts-related resources for students and faculty.

250 canine contestants compete at Dog Day Montclair, cheered on by hundreds of Montclair residents and friends, raising $50,000 for MFEE grants and initiatives.

2007

MFEE awards its 1,500th grant.

• 101 grants are distributed for classroom improvements, integration of technology and curriculum innovations, totaling $101,000;

• 24 teachers receive grants for professional development projects;

• 130 low-income students receive Summer Scholarships;

• All MPS schools receive MFEE Magnet Enhancement Grant awards totaling $200,000.

MFEE supports eight school-community initiatives with $168,000 in designated funding, including the Children’s Literature Initiative, which purchased it’s 10,000th book.

2500 people attended the 12th Annual Toast to the Teachers, choosing from 95 parties honoring more than 200 Montclair Public School faculty.

With its fourth and most festive concert, Montclair Schools Rock! will have raised $210,000 in funding for major projects at MHS and the middle schools focusing on educational excellence.

Local philanthropic family gifts $25,000 to kick off 5-year plan to create a Classroom of the Future in each of the 11 MPS schools.

Founding Board Member Julie Jackson is named President-Elect.