Education Foundation

EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF DOWNERS GROVE DISTRICT 58

In July 2002, 18 members of the Downers Grove community were brought together to form the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58. Six years and more than $500,000 later, the Foundation has proven that it plans to be a long-time source of support for the district.

The Foundation’s success can be attributed to its many donors, supporters and its Board of Directors. The board was designed to represent the various areas of the community including local business, village, community members, District 58 Parent/Teachers Associations, parents, administration, Board of Education, teachers and retired employees. These dedicated individuals meet monthly to plan fundraisers and the many other activities of the Foundation in support of District 58.

Currently, those programs include:

Select 58
Select 58 is a program designed to recognize 58 eighth-grade students who have shown themselves to be good citizens and positive role models. Students are selected from both Herrick and O'Neill Middle schools, 29 from each. Students complete applications in which they describe their co-curricular and service involvement in their schools and in the community. The Select 58 Committee reviews the applications and selects the 58 students to be recognized. The selected students and their parents are invited to a recognition dinner, organized by the Select 58 Committee, in the spring.

Sneak Preview
In order to orient incoming seventh-grade students to the middle school environment, the Foundation sponsors the annual Sneak Preview program at both District 58 middle schools. The Foundation's sponsorship allows all incoming middle school students the opportunity to participate in the three-day program, as well as providing transportation to and from the program.

Scholarships
Two leadership scholarships, a minimum of $1,000 each, are awarded annually to selected seventh-grade students who desire to further develop their proven leadership skills through a summer leadership program.

Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an employee in District 58 who has provided distinguished service and exemplifies excellence in their job.

Reaching New Heights Gift
The Reaching New Heights Gift is a financial donation of $500 given annually to District 58 schools and may be used in any way deemed appropriate by the principal.

Welcome Luncheon
The Foundation hosts a Welcome Luncheon in August of each year for all new fulltime employees entering District 58. Representatives of other community organizations are invited as well to orient new employees to local services and service personnel.

Staff Development Grants
(Up to $10,000/District; up to $5,000/School; up to $5,000/School Teams; and up to $2,500/Individual Teacher) These grants provide funds for staff development opportunities to further enhance instruction.

Technology Innovation Grants
(Up to $15.000/District; up to $10,000/School; up to $10,000/School Teams; and up to $5,000/Individual Teacher.) This program provides funds for initiatives in technology to complement any area of instruction identified in the District's Strategic Plan.

Funding for Foundation programs is derived from a number of sources including parent contributions, staff contributions, partnerships with community organizations and corporations, grants and endowments, individual contributions and two annual fundraisers.
For further information on the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58, please contact

Mark Frankart
Executive Director
Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58
2001 Butterfield Rd., Ste 105
PO Box 662, Downers Grove, IL 60515
630-854-8837
630-968-8368 Fax
mfrankart@dg58ef.com
www.58foundation.org

Grove Foundation

The Grove Foundation exists to enrich the lives of community members by identifying, supporting and promoting recreational, educational and community experiences through innovative and collaborative efforts. A not-for-profit organization registered with the State of Illinois, The Grove Foundation was established in February 1991 to:

Support and promote The Downers Grove Park District as well as other educational and recreational programs.
Promote community involvement.
Acquire land and contributions for programs and facilities.
Conduct fund-raising projects.

The Grove Foundation plans to continue to support programs that are already in place (Helping Children Grow, SEASPAR, Downers Grove Park District, Senior Volunteer of the Year, Lyman Woods), plans to develop programs and facilities to satisfy the needs of the residents and plans to secure the sponsorship of corporate funding for these programs.

Grove