Winchester Education Foundation reports $404,846 in receipts for 2024, outlines scholarship and curriculum grants

The Winchester Education Foundation reported to the School Board on Feb. 24 that the foundation collected $404,846 in pledges, grants and donations during 2024 and continued to serve as a pass-through funder for district programs.

Larry Weiss, speaking for the foundation, told the board WEF collected an additional $81,000 in Shahada Center pledges in 2024 and that roughly $125,600 in pledges remains to be collected over the next two years for that project. Weiss also said the foundation has acted as a pass-through for the Claude Moore Scholar Program and that pass-through amounts vary annually between about $135,000 and $250,000 depending on grant requests and participation.

WEF described targeted support for teachers and students: the foundation provided six scholarships at baccalaureate totaling $28,500 in 2024 and three teach-back awards to returning teachers totaling $15,000. The foundation said it has provided more than $142,000 in grants and scholarships to teachers since the program started. WEF also reported support for Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month events and an honorarium of $5,000 to Judy Humbert for work on the Douglas School Museum and Archives.

Weiss said WEF will expand a Partners in Education membership program to increase unrestricted support, is planning an annual grant to the Handley High School English department (estimated at $25,000–$30,000 if launched), and will continue scholarship and teacher-support programs, noting Navy Federal Credit Union’s assistance with expansion of the teacher award program.

Board members commended the foundation’s work. No formal board action was required on the report; Weiss invited continued collaboration between the foundation and district administration on future projects and fundraising efforts.