Targeted Giving
The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF) has made an exciting addition to how we accept donations, as we now offer targeted funds to which donations may be given. Recognizing that many community members feel passionate about particular aspects of our children’s education and our schools, this change will enable individuals and businesses to have a role in directing how their contributions are used. While we expect our general fund to continue to support a wide variety of exciting grants, these new funds will allow for more dedicated use for future grant-giving. Grant categories featured are Technology, Math & Science, Teacher Professional Development, Academic Achievement, Arts Enrichment and Outdoor Experiences, Fitness & Wellness. Additionally, we will offer our donors the option of directing contributions directly to our endowment, helping to ensure our continued legacy.
Read about targeted giving in The Cape Courier here. You can also get more information from our FAQ page.
Giving History Analyzed
Recently an examination of the funds CEEF has granted to the schools was undertaken. Each dollar spent since 2002 was tagged with a description, allowing us to see the number of dollars and the percentage of the total that have been allotted to various areas in education. This quantitative analysis reveals that during the six years studied, the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation spread its giving across a wide variety of programs and needs within the school district:
- Of a total of $595,924* awarded through the end of 2008, 27% ($162,498) was represented in the areas of science and mathematics, such as astronomy, robotics, physics, middle school math curriculum overhaul and math support for our youngest learners.
- Another 28%, or $167,456, funded academic achievement; found in grants awarded to fund the CEHS Achievement Center, literacy and foreign language programs, and the establishment and support of the World Affairs Council.
- Technology was strongly funded, with 21% ($124,411) of the total funds going toward an array of laptops, digital cameras, recording devices, projectors and cutting-edge video-learning programs among the items awarded.
- Teacher professional development has been given consistent support since CEEF’s start, with 8% ( $45,454) awarded to grow the skills and expertise in areas of art, literacy, foreign language, social studies, language arts and alternative learning.
- Outdoor experiences, fitness & wellness have been granted 10% ($58,856) of the total funds since 2002, supporting field trips, fitness & safety equipment, greening initiatives, a major wellness initiative at CEHS, a drug awareness program, social networking teaching, and continued support of a specialized therapeutic horseback riding program for students with special needs.
- Arts of all kinds received support throughout, with the remaining 6% of total funds going toward all facets of the arts in Cape schools. Theater, music, dance, sculpture, pottery, photography, and arts & culture all received funding in a variety of ways, adding up to $37,248 through 2008.
Please visit our grants history pages to see a complete history of grants awarded, and to see the specifics behind the broad categories described above. While often a particular grant is cross-purpose in nature and difficult to categorize perfectly (example: a digital camera awarded to the art department; could be categorized as art or technology), best effort was made to classify grants appropriately for the most effective analysis.
*Total does not include monies committed for 2009 and 2010 for large-impact grants at Pond Cove and CEMS, nor does it include teacher awards and donations made to Kids Turf.