Name: The Dearborn Education Foundation

Website: www.dearbornedfoundation.org

What they're all about: The Dearborn Education Foundation's one and only mission is to help fund projects, upgrades, technology, materials and more for any of Dearborn's public schools. They fulfill teacher and school grant requests, as well as help donors funnel their dollars into specific projects or schools in need.

Over the years, the foundation has given the schools more than $1.3 million.

Recent donations have included a new digital sign for Maples Elementary, books and supplies for Nowlin Elementary and weight training equipment for Dearborn High School's athletic department.

How to help: The foundation, headed up by Executive Director Eddie Fakhoury, hosts several fundraisers each year to raise money for the schools, including the FORE Golf Outing every fall and a Mardi Gras every spring.

The golf outing raised $95,000 for the foundation in 2011 through sponsorships, participation and a silent auction.

"This is almost double from what was raised last year," Fakhoury said. "Proceeds from this effort will go to fund opportunities and resources throughout the new school year."

The foundation is currently looking for involvement and sponsorships for their 2012 Mardi Gras event, which takes place Feb. 14 at Dearborn Hills Golf Course.

"This event will raise money to fund requests throughout the year from teachers and faculty of the Dearborn Public School system," event chair Caryn Solferino said in a statement. " Students benefit from this funding in a variety of ways: musical instruments for marching bands, electron microscopes for science courses, reading labs for elementary school children and much more."

Direct donations to the foundation are always accepted as well.

To learn more about donating, sponsoring an event or volunteering, email ed@dearbornedfoundation.org, or call 313-827-8790.

Donations can also be made on the foundation's website.