Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who is the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation board of directors?

CEEF’s board is made up of 25 volunteers from within Cape Elizabeth, represented by both men and women, most of whom currently have children in one or more of our schools. We have three teachers in the role of education advisors who attend our monthly board meetings, participate actively in the deliberations during our grant cycle, and provide valuable insight into the world behind the school’s doors that some of us only will glimpse at parent-teacher conference time. During the grant cycle, our committee broadens by three, with the addition of our community advisors, whose sole interest is in weighing the merits of the grant presentations brought to us by the teachers and staff. Additionally we are fortunate to have a member of the School Board who attends our meetings and grant presentations, connecting us to the elected body that represents our schools. We regularly host Superintendent Alan Hawkins at our meetings, and share ideas with him as he does with us, keeping us both informed as to the ways we can work together toward our mutual goals. Back to Top

What is the process for funding grants?

Ideas are brought to us in the form of grant applications and presentations; we do not design the use of our donors’ funds. Our teachers know best what to add to their classrooms, curriculum or to their professional skills that will enhance our children’s learning. During our fall cycle in 2008, we received over $75,000 in grant requests from all three schools. In the end, close to $25,000 was awarded, for grants carefully evaluated and chosen by our grants committee to meet our mission most closely. We have two grant cycles each year; one in the spring and one in the fall. Back to Top

How will my targeted funds be designated for use?

Grant applications are presented to CEEF by teachers and school staff. All prospective grants are considered by the CEEF Grants Committee, which uses the mission statement to guide deliberations and decision-making. Targeted funds will be directed to support approved grants that fall within the desired category. Back to Top

Can I suggest my own idea for using the funds I donate?

CEEF awards funds to grant applications that come to us from our teachers and administrators. We don’t design the grants, but instead evaluate and fund the ideas that are brought to us by the teachers and administrators. Back to Top

How much of my donation goes toward the grants themselves?

Twenty percent of all donations made to the General Fund and Red Apple Awards go to CEEF's endowment; 80% remain available for grant-giving.  One hundred percent of donations made to the remaining fund categories are used to fund future projects and intitiatives that fall within those categories, minus administrative expenses.  We make every effort to keep administrative costs to a minimum, endeavoring to spend your donation where it’s intended: in out kids’ schools.  Back to Top

What if I want to help fund field trips or sports?

Our Off-campus Programs & Wellness fund includes field trips, Chewonki/other outdoor experiences, sports and wellness related grants.  Examples of these grants are the 7th grade field trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Mapparium, the Cape Elizabeth High School Wellness Initiative, and Cape Life, a grant awarded to reduce the amount of drug and alcohol use by CE students, helping them to feel comfortable and accepted by their peers when they choose not to use drugs and alcohol. Back to Top

I’d like to recognize my child’s teacher with a donation. May I give in his or her name?

YES! We have a special program called Red Apple, designed to give donors the ability to recognize the exceptional teachers in Cape Elizabeth.  You may give whatever amount you choose; we will acknowledge your gift with a notecard, notifying the teacher of the special gift given in his or her name. Back to Top

Are my donations fully tax-deductible?

CEEF is a 501c(3), and as such, any donations given to CEEF are fully tax-deductible to the extent that law allows.  Please consult your tax advisor if you have any questions. Back to Top

How can I get an idea of the types of grants funded in each category?

Some examples of our grants funded previously and how they would fit into our defined categories: 

  • Arts enrichment - sculpture at the middle school, digital darkroom photography at the high school;
  • Academic Enrichment - CEHS Achievement Center, Global Connections (CEMS World Language);
  • Math & Science - Pond Cove Math Lab, Cape Robotics; 
  • Professional Development - Schools Attuned, differentiated learning using the teachings of Mel Levine, Gelatin-Printing
  • Technology - 5th-grade laptops, "clickers" for 9th-grade physics;
  • Off-campus Programs & Wellness - Gulf of Maine Institute, CEHS Wellness Initiative.

We also invite you to take a look through our grant pages, and read up on the percentage of CEEF grants that have gone toward the many categories of grants.  Ask your teachers what CEEF grants have made a difference to their teaching!  Back to Top