Sparta Education Foundation Funds Over One Million Dollars in Grants

With the approval of six new grants totaling over $115,637, the Sparta Education Foundation attained a milestone of funding $1,013,637 in educational grants for all five schools in the district. This new group of grants was presented at the Foundation’s Annual Board Meeting held at the Mohawk Avenue School on June 14.

“Our path to the million dollar goal was set six years ago,” said former Sparta Education Foundation President Dorothy LaBeau. “We are thrilled that our all-volunteer organization with no paid staff keeps administrative costs to a minimum. The Foundation relies on donations from our annual events including the Dragon Boat Festival and Krogh’s Turkey Trot. We also have our paver fundraiser where bricks can be personalized through the Alumni Walkway program at Sparta High School or at the Sparta Theatre Centre for the Pathways to Excellence program. All these fundraisers and others go a long way in funding curriculum-based grants for every school in the district. This is a proud moment for the Foundation and for our town.”

The grants approved at the Sparta Education Foundation’s June meeting included:

• Year 3 of Chromebook Funding, Sparta High School, $67, 277.
• Robotics Program Upgrades, Sparta High School, $19,011.
• Sound Amplification System for 11th Grade Classrooms, Sparta High School, $11,589.
• 3D Printer, Sparta High School, $6,564.
• 10 Rowing Machines, Sparta High School, $9,090.
• 30 Ukuleles and Ukulele Storage Rack, Mohawk Avenue School, $2,106.

“The mood of the annual meeting was upbeat,” said outgoing Sparta Education Foundation President Danielle Dykstra. “It was a great night to celebrate our goal of funding $1 million worth of grants. All the audience members in attendance were both appreciative and supportive when hearing the news. The saying ‘It takes a little more to be a Spartan’ took on a whole new meaning at the meeting, and we are extremely proud of this major accomplishment.”

Incoming Sparta Education Foundation President Donna West agreed, adding “The Foundation is incredibly grateful to our sponsors, the greater community, our supporters, school district, administrators and volunteers, without whom we wouldn’t be able to reach this impressive goal.”

Since 2006, the Sparta Education Foundation has funded over $1,013,000 in grants to all five of Sparta’s public schools. The Foundation is an all-volunteer, independent 501 (c) (3) NJ Non-Profit Corporation whose mission is to engage the entire community in philanthropic giving. Visit spartaeducationfoundation.org for more information about joining or volunteering.