How long has the HW EdFund been around?

The EdFund was incorporated in 1990 and received 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit charitable organization from the IRS in February, 1991. A board of directors was created and populated with residents of both Hamilton and Wenham. Today the HW EdFund has 20-25 board members from both towns.

How does a contribution to the EdFund differ from other fundraising for the schools?

Your contribution has a direct impact now and in the future. Much of the schools’ fundraising efforts, like the Friends groups, give everything they collect to the schools. These are important efforts and usually address a direct and immediate need. However, as more needs or shortfalls are identified, those efforts need to start again from scratch - not so with the EdFund. The EdFund endowment is built to ensure that our schools, teachers and administrators have a stable resource they can look to support their creative ideas.

How does the EdFund impact our schools?

The EdFund exists to provide potent, often unexpected, opportunities to our public schools through carefully vetted grants. Since its inception in 1990, the EdFund has funded more than $2.5 million in grants to the HWRSD.

Why doesn't the EdFund use the endowment to pay for school overrides, to fund teacher salaries, or to cover budget shortfalls?

For a few reasons. First and foremost, the central purpose of the EdFund is to create and grow a sustainable endowment that will provide funds for annual grants from the income generated by the fund. If we spent all of the money to address an immediate crisis, we would defeat that purpose. The EdFund was not created to fund ongoing school budget items, but rather to try to provide funds over and above what annual district school budgets can allow, resulting in unique or special programs or supplementary technology to improve learning opportunities.

How does the EdFund raise money to fund grants to the schools?

The EdFund raises funds at a variety of events throughout the year. For information about specific fund-raisers, and to learn about opportunities for you and your family to get involved, visit our current events/fundraising page.

What types of grants are funded?

Each year, the EdFund proudly awards grants to educators, administrators, and students who bring forward innovative ideas--projects that spark curiosity, encourage collaboration, and deepen learning for students in our district. Grants that prioritize innovation, leadership, creativity, collaboration, and impact across a wide number of Hamilton-Wenham students are encouraged. Grants should be designed to support and advance the school system’s priorities while fostering innovative teaching and dynamic learning experiences for students. Grants that prioritize innovation by empowering the potential of students to conceive new ideas or provide students with opportunities that are beyond what is typically offered are encouraged. Follow these links for more information on the specifics of what is funded and successful grant criteria. To see examples of specific grants the EdFund has approved in the past, please see the Annual Reports linked from prior years on the Impact tab above.

How can I support the EdFund?

There are many ways you can support the EdFund. From donating money to participating in our activities to volunteering to help us staff our events. For more information or how to be involved, please contact us!