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Sachem Educational Foundation launches, schedules inaugural gala to fund classroom grants
Summary
A newly formed Sachem Educational Foundation — a 501(c)(3) led by community volunteers and alumni — announced grant criteria and an inaugural gala March 27 to raise funds for programs beyond the district’s regular K–12 curriculum.
Chris Vaccaro told the Sachem Central School District board on Oct. 23 that a new Sachem Educational Foundation has been formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to raise money for grants that support programming beyond the district’s standard K–12 offerings. "We put the paperwork together, formed a proper 501(c)(3), put grant criteria together, built a website, and have done outreach to let people know that we exist," Vaccaro said.
Vaccaro said the foundation will work with administrators and building leaders to ensure grant applications meet agreed criteria and that he expects the foundation to raise funds through events, galas and community outreach. He announced an inaugural gala planned for March 27 at Bill Lombardi’s, with ticket sales, sponsorships and tables intended to generate funding for grants to teachers and students. "We will work with educational leaders in each building to make sure they're aware of what the grant program can do for them," Vaccaro said.
Board members asked about committee membership and oversight; Vaccaro responded that the foundation’s executive board includes parents, alumni, community members and two board representatives and two administrators, and that committee member names are posted on the foundation website. The board liaison called the effort "heartwarming," noting wide community interest in supporting district programs.
The foundation’s stated focus is to fund projects that are "above and beyond" the district's regular curriculum — examples Vaccaro cited included innovation, technology and arts programming. Vaccaro said the foundation will coordinate information sessions and FAQs through district administration to ensure consistent application and distribution of grants. He committed to providing periodic updates to the board and to return with reports on fundraising progress.
The presentation did not request any formal action by the board beyond informational updates and offered to work with district administrators on next steps. The foundation’s inaugural gala date was set; ticket and sponsorship details were described as forthcoming.
