The Meeker Education Foundation's sole purpose is to provide independent resources for the benefit of the Meeker School District. 

The impact of Colorado's inadequate school funding has been and continues to be significant.  

Foundation Funds and Programs:

Grant Award Program

MEF's Grant Award Program provides teacher/student grant awards for academic/activity enrichment opportunities, curricular materials and equipment and all classroom needs.  Fundraising campaigns and, until Covid, annual fundraiser events have funded this program.  Specific fundraisers include Benefit Dinners and Auctions showcasing student art and wood shop projects as well as elementary music presentations and well supported Golf Tournaments.

The program has a major grant cycle each July for grant applications of any size.  It's scheduled to make sure all materials funded are in place before the school year begins.   Additionally, staff members may make application for $500 grants each month throughout the school year.

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund

The 'Annual Fund' is for capital campaigns designed to complete specific projects for the School District by pursuing community partnerships, grants and targeted fundraising.  After the successful renovation of the synthetic track and football field, curriculum development proved to be the greatest District need.  MEF best serves this need through its granting program.  The Grant Award Program's resources are able to help fund these ongoing curricular needs.

 

Endowment Fund

A sizable endowment will offer financial security to the Meeker School District for the future.   However, it will take time for the fund to be large enough to have an impact and  while it grows, its revenue is being reinvested rather than spent.  Meeker Education Foundation was incorporated in 2013 and to date its endowment has passed $66,000.

• Donations to this important fund, of any size,  are greatly appreciated and may be restricted to a specific use or not
• Restricted or unrestricted Memorial Funds can be established within the endowment
• Planned giving donations can be designated in wills, trusts & retirement plans.

 Pass-through Accounts

MEF has served as a pass-through nonprofit for individuals, groups and organizations who want to make a tax exempt donation for a specific use within the Meeker School District.  The technology department and other programs have benefited.

Why does the Foundation matter to the School District?

Facts:

The Education Law Center, part of the Rutgers University Graduate School for Education, awarded the State of Colorado an “F” when grading the state’s effort to invest in schools by comparing the level of school funding relative to the health of the state’s economy.

The Colorado School Finance Project per pupil spending by states: Colorado ranks 43rd, spending $2,715 less than the national average  ....School Finance Grade:D+"

There are other statistics which tell the same story.  It is for these reasons that the Meeker Education Foundation exists.

"Negative Factor" Added to School Finance Act  

On top of  its poor school funding, the state legislature added a ‘Negative Factor’ to the School Finance formula, in 2010, in order to balance the state’s budget. Its name describes it well. Annually, it reduces the Total Program funding of every district which receives state aid (95% of all districts in the state) by 10% - 15%. Our District’s administration calculates that the Negative Factor will deprive the Meeker School District’s 2016-2017 budget of $658,000.  Many unfunded academic needs are attributed to the Negative Factor.

MSD Meets the challenge

The School District has committed to judiciously using General Fund reserves to relieve the coming school year’s annual budget and meet certain vital needs.  Deficit spending is not ideal, but student/staff needs are extreme after years of budget rescissions - and are the priority. Using reserves is a balancing act for they must also ensure that the District can cash flow itself during the year and cover emergency expenses.

Foundation can make  difference

The District's documented pledge to review curriculum and curricular materials annually and ensure quality and current resources for each classroom depends on available revenue. Funding will, also, dictate how quickly courses, positions and programs (lost in recent years’ budgetary rescissions) will be restored provided they successfully follow the reinstatement/adoption process.

Independent resources can help the District achieve its goals and provide our students with a well rounded and quality education. This is the reason the Meeker Education Foundation was created and the challenge it attempts to meet through fundraising and grant writing.

Together we can provide opportunities for students

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art, drama & music are critical to a well rounded education.  Due to fiscal restraints, MSD has been forced to cut in this area. There are no longer art programs in the elementary and middle schools.

 

  A class small enough to    ensure that every student is  reached makes  the difference.  

 

Barone Middle School’s 6th Grade outdoor education trip is a positive team building experience for those entering middle school. The students bond and learn lessons in self reliance in this outdoor classroom experience.

How you can help:

• Volunteer your time at one of our fundraisers
• Spread the word about MEF's mission and the needs of the Schools
• Go to the "Make A Donation" Tab