Excellence in Education through the

Huntington Foundation

HFEE Headlines

 Washington first graders are loving books purchase through a Huntington Foundaiton grant
October 1, 2024

Huntington Foundation Continues to Make a Difference

More than three decades after its founding, the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education continues to make a difference in the daily life of Huntington UFSD students.

 HFEE Chief Financial Officer Meghan Knieriem with Tara Poli at last year's gala.
August 11, 2024

Tara Poli Named Huntington Foundation President

Huntington High School alum Tara Poli is the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education’s new president. She officially assumes the position on September 1 after a successful three year run by outgoing president Jennifer Stevens.


HFEE Information and Documents

About The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education

HFEE Gala Honorees

Huntington's Leading Non-Profit Organization

The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education (HFEE) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) corporation dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for all students in the Huntington school district. Since its founding in June 1993, HFEE has enriched our schools through hundreds of mini-grants aimed at promoting innovation in the classroom as well as funding larger school- and district-wide initiatives through its Reach for the Stars Program. HFEE has also established a Greenkill Fund and a Field Trip Fund to provide financial assistance to students enabling them to participate in these activities. HFEE welcomes participation from all members of the school community. Please feel free to vistit HFEE's website at www.huntingtonfoundation.org

Educational Supporters

A volunteer group of education supporters who work with a board of directors to fund innovative and exciting educational opportunities for all children in the district. This funding affords our teachers access to educational programs that are not funded by the school budget. Often these new programs are then incorporated into the curriculum on an ongoing basis.

HFEE's Mission'

The Huntington Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of the Huntington Public Schools in education, the arts and athletics. From state-of-the-art technology and equipment to cutting-edge teaching techniques, the educator-generated grants we fund expand our students’ curriculum as well as their enthusiasm for learning.

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President's Message

Huntington High School alum Jennifer Stevens is the new president of the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education. The organization has been enriching the lives of students since its founding in 1993, donating more than $1 million for innovative programs and opportunities through the years.

Previously vice president of brand marketing at Oppenheimer Funds, where she oversaw the company’s philanthropy program, Ms. Stevens is a communications executive at VMware, a leading software company.

Ms. Stevens’ parents, Mark and Linda Stevens, where the very first recipients of HFEE’s Rising Star Award in 1993 for the couple’s fundraising efforts when the district was forced to enact an “austerity” budget following the defeat of the proposed spending plan.

A strong advocate for Huntington UFSD and its students and programs, Ms. Stevens has served as a PTA board members and class parent volunteer over the years. She has coached soccer, baseball and basketball teams in the community.

“The Foundation has worked extraordinarily hard through the years to support our schools and students and has clearly found the right person to carry the torch in succession,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Jennifer Stevens not only possesses the know-how and experience, but also the Huntington spirit as part of all in which she engages. I am sure that she and her colleagues will help us continue to honor valued traditions, as well as facilitate the introduction of new initiatives moving forward.”

Ms. Stevens is the mother of Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School fifth grader Katherine Gooch and J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth grader Graham Gooch.

HFEE Board Members
...

Tara Poli

President

  • Executive Board Members
  • President: Tara Poli
  • CFO: Meghan Knieriem
  • VP of Grants: Jen Hebert
  • VP of Grant Administration : Jen Biancardo
  • Secretary: Michele Sabatino
  • VP of Public Relations/ Marketing: Jennifer Tullo
  • VP of Development: TBA
  • Board Members
  • PTA Liaison: Liz Matthews
  • Graphic Design/ Marketing: Kim Einemann
  • Meeting Coordinator: Janine Luca
  • Gala Chairperson: Jen Biancardo
  • Gala Support: Gina Leiter
  • Marketing: Maryann Driscoll
  • Volunteer Members
  • Social Media: Kelly Donovan
  • Teacher liasion: Allison Von Vange
  • General Support: Kacey Knauer, Amanda Sturges, Kim O’Toole, and Liz Carecchia
  • Youth Board Members
  • Talia Addeo, McKenna Buffa, Daniella Luca and Anna Bell Young

HFEE Videos and Galleries

Lives affected by HFEE

A Gala Promotional Film - By Caitlyn Palermo

200+

Challenging Academic Courses

14

Academic Departments

30+

Interscholastic Athletic Teams

90+

Colleges and Universities accepting 2020 HHS Graduates