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DEEP reports steady teacher grants and expanded DECA support; board seeks new volunteers
Summary
The Danvers Educational Enrichment Partnership (DEEP) reported recent grants, fundraising strategies and continued support for DECA and technology, and sought new volunteers as longtime board members step back.
Marybeth Berry, president of the Danvers Educational Enrichment Partnership (DEEP), updated the school committee on DEEP's recent grants, fundraising and volunteer needs.
DEEP, a local nonprofit that raises funds to support Danvers Public Schools, has awarded over $100,000 in grants in recent years and this year increased its annual DECA sponsorship line from $5,000 to $10,000 to help cover travel and competition costs. Berry described teacher grants, technology support and targeted purchases — for example, a Festool Domino XL tool purchased for the high school technology shop and a heat press the district's Falcon's Nest used to lower outside vendor costs for apparel production.
Nut graf: Berry said DEEP aims to sustain an endowed fund created from a major community gift and to broaden fundraising events beyond traditional models; the organization is actively recruiting new members because several longtime volunteers no longer have children in the district.
Details: Berry described DEEP's fundraising tiers (family and individual memberships, community sponsors and corporate levels) and past events (balls, wine tastings). She said a community donor, Philip Morris, made major contributions in the past that supported the high-school stadium project and provided funds earmarked for DECA; Berry said the donor made "a contribution of $250,000" and described two related gifts allocated to different recipients. Over the last five years, DEEP awarded more than $100,000 in teacher grants; Berry said amounts vary by year and by grant requests.
DEEP also coordinates community programs, including sponsorship of the HRMS spelling bee and seed money for school stores; the group meets monthly and works with district liaisons. Berry said the group plans to explore new events (she mentioned a potential pickleball tournament) and to refine grant processes, particularly for special-education classroom needs, by coordinating with the district's director of student services.
Ending: Berry asked the community to join DEEP's monthly meetings (third Wednesday, 7:45 a.m.) and help sustain the organization's volunteer-led work supporting classroom programs and student opportunities.
