The Guilford Fund for Education will join forces with The Guilford Foundation as a donor-advised fund, allowing the organization to retain its autonomy in funding decisions that support its mission while leveraging TGF’s operational expertise. Given the shared commitment to investment in youth and education, this partnership maximizes opportunities and resources for both organizations.

GFFE started in 2006 with seed funding from The Guilford Foundation. Its mission is to provide financial support to projects, programs, and initiatives that foster innovative learning experiences for students and educators outside the Guilford Board of Education’s budget. Since GFFE’s inception, the nonprofit has awarded $660,000 for 199 grants that explore new concepts, enhance existing curriculum, and strengthen the learning process.

​”We’re dedicated to supporting our educators and students by providing funding to bring creative ideas to life. Our organization has grown over the past 18 years, significantly increasing its impact. With that said, our scale has become too big to manage as an all-volunteer organization,” explained Meg Teape, GFFE Co-Chair. “This partnership is the perfect solution. It allows us to leverage TGF’s administrative resources and expertise, which frees our team to focus on grantmaking and fundraising to innovate learning in Guilford.”  

Outwardly, there will be no difference in how GFFE operates. The organization will maintain its website, promote grant opportunities, review grant applications, make funding decisions, and organize its iconic spelling bee (adult and kid) and bee ball (basketball) events. TGF will manage the grants distribution process, utilizing technology to streamline the process.   

“We are honored that GFFE views us as a trusted resource to help advance their mission to enhance the educational experience for Guilford students,” said TGF Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “Youth and education are focus areas for TGF through our grantmaking and scholarships. Our Youth Advisory Group also operates at the high school, soliciting grant applications and disbursing $20,000 annually to youth-related nonprofits and GHS-specific clubs and programs. This partnership is a win-win for both organizations.” 

GFFE grant priorities are STEM, humanities, visual or performing arts, cultural awareness and social justice, special education, physical health and social/emotional wellness, and anything that enhances the learning experience. Examples of more well-known GFFE grants include the Witness Stones Project (Adams Middle School), the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Guilford High School), Robotics (Adams and Baldwin Middle Schools), Makerspaces (all four elementary schools), and the Pollinator Garden (Guilford High School).  

GFFE Co-Chair Jennifer Scoggin added, “Educators are the difference-makers in our children’s lives, but they often do not have the money to bring their creative ideas to life. This is where GFFE comes in, as we free educators from funding constraints that impede innovation in learning. We also serve youth through other community nonprofits. We also seek to encourage and deepen a community-wide enthusiasm for excellence in education, ultimately creating a stronger Guilford.”

For information about GFFE’s grant application process, community updates, prior grants, upcoming events, donation link, and other important information, visit gffe.org.