Aberdeen Schools Foundation reports $2.5 million in assets, funds scholarships and classroom grants

Griffin Sharp, representing the Aberdeen Schools Foundation, told the Aberdeen School District 06-1 board on Sept. 22 that the foundation's assets stood at $2,513,395 as of June 30 and that the organization continues to fund scholarships, classroom grants and student needs.

Sharp said the foundation has distributed more than $1.9 million in grants and scholarships to the district since 2004 and that the foundation awarded more than $73,000 in scholarships in the most recent year. "Our students continue to excel at thank-you notes," Sharp said while describing scholarship recipients and a recent grant to the Aberdeen Central eSports team that helped the team host a state tournament.

The foundation highlighted several program areas supported this year: innovation partnership grants such as Number Ninjas (an elementary math program), support for the Rising Scholars program (dual-credit book grants and testing fees), staff wellness programming, assistive language devices for buildings, and community-facing events such as Hall of Fame and Night for a Princess. Sharp said 90 students received Rising Scholars book grants this year for roughly 130 dual-credit classes and the foundation paid 19 testing fees for students on free or reduced-price meals.

Sharp also said the foundation provided $2,279 this year to meet immediate student needs (items such as clothing and winter coats) from the Class of '74 endowment and other donors. The foundation reported establishing three new endowments and one restricted scholarship fund in the last year; it now lists 39 endowments and 12 restricted scholarship funds.

Sharp noted a recent large donation of an original 1866 Dakota Territory map to be displayed at the Aberdeen Central High School library; the donor asked that the original be displayed for at least 10 years. He described the foundation's role in connecting students with alumni and community partners and outlined an ongoing $20,000 matching challenge from donor Ken Meyer for academic program donations.

Board members thanked Sharp and discussed the foundation's growth since the early 2000s; board members said the foundation supplements district budget lines by funding programs and immediate student needs that the general budget does not cover.

If board members have further questions, Sharp invited them to follow up with the foundation office.