Dearborn Education Foundation Raises $200K in 2012 for Schools

The Dearborn Education Foundation’s efforts to generate funds for special projects and teacher grants for the 19,000-student Dearborn Public Schools yielded positive results in 2012, according to Eddie Fakhoury, the foundation’s executive director.

In a presentation before the Dearborn Board of Education last week, Fakhoury announced that the foundation has raised nearly $200,000 this year to benefit students.

“Our success is a reflection of our Board of Directors, our community at large, our mayor and our superintendent and all of the work they do to support us as well as the board and our students and teachers,” he said. “So it is our story, but it really is the story of the entire district.”

Although the 2012 fiscal year final numbers are not finalized because the foundation’s audit is not complete, Fakhoury said he’s confident about the amount of money generated.

“We’re hovering just under 200,000 that we brought in revenue; of which we gave commitments of over $110,000 in teacher grants,” he said. “And $25,000 of that was from partnerships such as the Ford Motor Company Ford Fund.”

For 2012, a number of projects were supported by the foundation, including new technological devices, and a comprehensive update to the Dearborn Center for Math, Science & Technology Computer Lab, which was completed in conjunction with the Ford Fund.

Of the 45 grant requests received by the foundation in 2012, Fakhoury said 36 were approved, four were tabled or are on hold, and five were denied because they didn't fit the foundation's mission.

Community partnerships were important to the foundation’s success in 2012, Fakhoury said, including work with Ford Motor Company and ACCESS, as well as local businesses like Bangkok 96.

 “Although we may not have all of the money, we look to lean on each booster group to see what we can do together and we can successfully fund a grant by partnering,” he said. “We’ve done that numerous times throughout last year.”

The foundation also made headway in terms of individual donations.

“Individual donors are now calling us and having the conversation of, ‘What are your needs in particular?’ or ‘How can I include you in our estate plan?’” Fakhoury said. “We’ve been in discussion with state attorneys and individuals that are interested in looking at what they’re interests are as an individual, whether it be the arts, athletics, etc., and as a foundation, we find the connections and make them.”

Fakhoury said he expects a robust 2013.

In the coming months, supporters can expect to see foundation focus on building more partnerships with area businesses, community groups, nonprofits, and booster clubs, as well as reaching out to potential individuals.

The foundation is also currently hosting its first raffle, in which individuals or groups will have an opportunity to win $50,000 by purchasing a $1,000 ticket. Tickets are still available, and the drawing will be held Feb. 2 at the foundation's annual Mardi Gras party.

Since its inception, the foundation has raised and returned over $1.4 million to the schools through teacher grant requests.

“I think we’ve laid a strong foundation,” he said.

To learn more about the Dearborn Education Foundation, or how you can purchase a Big Shot 50/50 Raffle ticket, go to www.dearbornedfoundation.org or call 313-827-8790.