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DD2 Education Foundation reports growth, urges small recurring gifts to support teachers
Summary
The DD 2 Educational Foundation presented its annual report to the Dorchester District 2 School Board, highlighting expanded campus reach, $100,000 in classroom grants, and a push for small recurring donations through a "2 for 2" campaign.
Ralph Hayes, executive director of the DD 2 Educational Foundation, presented the foundation's annual report to the Dorchester District 2 School Board on Aug. 25, detailing fundraising growth, campus-wide grant distributions and outreach plans.
Hayes told the board the foundation has increased the number of individual donation transactions to about 2,000 for the year and urged community members to consider small, recurring gifts. "Give us $2 a month," he said. "Give us $2 a week. Buy a cup of coffee for a teacher." Hayes also described larger grants and events the foundation runs to support teachers and programs.
The foundation reported awarding just under $100,000 in classroom grants that go directly to teacher-requested classroom needs. It also said it distributed about $30,000 in first-year teacher bonuses and teacher-appreciation initiatives, and highlighted a monthly $500 educator recognition program funded by business partners.
Hayes described the foundation's work across all district campuses, naming partnerships with the district's RISE program, adult education and special-needs initiatives. He said the foundation helped fund CTE and STEM activities districtwide, provided support for fine arts residencies and helped expand athletics events such as a middle school all-star basketball game.
He also noted community fundraising events that benefit the foundation: the Summerville Meatball Run and Italian Feast, whose lifetime proceeds to the foundation have "eclipsed a $130,000" contribution. Hayes called the Italian Feast "the second largest event in Summerville each year, only behind the Flowertown Festival," and credited volunteer and district collaboration for event growth.
Hayes singled out a staff hire as a key development: "The largest accomplishment of the Education Foundation this past year was the addition of the amazing miss Kim Cahill," he said, noting Cahill supports community relations and allows the foundation to expand its outreach.
Board members and Superintendent Doherty praised the foundation's work during the discussion period, with Doherty calling the foundation's direct classroom funding one of the most impactful supports the district receives. The board did not take any formal vote on the presentation; the item was informational.
The presentation and supporting materials were included in the board packet; Hayes invited questions from board members and community members present.
The foundation encouraged trustees and community members to promote its "2 for 2" recurring-gift campaign and to engage with upcoming events that fund classroom supports and educator recognition.
