After replenishing its coffers with a successful fundraising gala last spring, the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education has kicked off its annual Star grant application season.
The non-profit organization, operated by parent volunteers, raises monies for innovative educational programs and/or equipment beyond what the regular school budget can provide.
Teachers and administrators can send their grant applications to the Huntington Foundation by December 16 via email at hfeegrantapps@gmail.com.
2022 honoree Jim Polansky and HFEE President Jennifer Stevens hold a memento book from last year's gala.
The HFEE Star grant program offers teachers and administrators funding for special programs, activities and/or equipment that enriches the core curriculum and furthers students’ imagination and love or learning. Grants typically impact a grade, department or an entire school and can be between $500-$15,000-plus, depending on the program or equipment. Examples of past Star grant awards include:
• iPod Touch devices for the English and Science departments at the high school
• Small cell culture lab at the high school
• 3D printers at Finley Middle School
• Robotics club equipment at the high school
• Ukulele club funding and instruments at Finley Middle School
• Lego League Junior events
• Makerspaces at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School
“We are thrilled to re-open the grant application process after being dark for the past year,” Huntington Foundation President Jennifer Stevens said. “Our annual gala in May was well attended and replenished our funds for the HFEE Star grant program. Our new board members, Jen Hebert and Jen Biancardo, are running the program this year and we’re all excited to see our educators’ creative ideas and ways to inspire their students.”
Grant proposals will be vetted by the HFEE executive board based on:
• Innovation
• Size of impact and benefit to the students
• Sustainability over the years
Grant applications will be selected by the HFEE board and reviewed and approved by the Huntington Board of Education. Selected proposals will be announced in the spring of 2023.
For additional information, contact Jen Hebert, HFEE’s VP of Grants at hebertny@hotmail.com or Jen Biancardo, HFEE’s VP of Grants Administration at jbiancardo@gmail.com.
HFEE plans to hold its annual Reach for the Stars Gala on Thursday, March 30 at the Water’s Edge in Centerport. The event will mark the organization’s 30th anniversary.
Each year, the HFEE board selects an honoree from the school district who has made a major impact on the schools and the students of Huntington. The district honoree could be a teacher, administrator, guidance counselor or staff member within Huntington UFSD.
HFEE also honors a community member from the town of Huntington; someone who has had a significant and positive effect on the Huntington community and has demonstrated support of the town, our schools and/or the student population. The only exclusions being the nominee cannot be a current Board of Education member or an elected town official.
This year, to cast a wider net of worthy candidates, the HFEE executive board is asking the Huntington community (teachers, administrators, staff, parents/guardians and students of Huntington UFSD to submit nominations for worthy candidates. The nomination period is open until Friday, December 16. Submit a nomination here.
Recent honorees include Superintendent James W. Polansky (2022 district honoree), Dr. James Paci (2022 community honoree), Allison VonVange (2020 district honoree) and Bon Bon’s Chocolatier owners Susannah Meinersman and Alice Meinersman, who were the 2020 community honorees.