Representatives of the Marlboro Education Foundation presented their 2026 grant awards to the board and described the foundation’s review and fundraising work.
Jen Salacci (speaker 13), president of the MEF, and Alicia Thor (speaker 14), treasurer, said the foundation received 18 applications and approved 14 grants totaling just over $15,000. Grants span arts, music, technology, science and schoolwide assemblies; the MEF said it tries to ensure every school receives at least one award. The foundation described categories: mini grants up to $500, collaborative grants up to $1,000 and schoolwide grants up to $1,500.
The MEF also previewed spring fundraising: a Dine-to-Donate on March 19 and the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser — a Harlem Wizards basketball event — scheduled for Monday, April 13, with doors at 5:30 p.m. and tipoff at 6:30 p.m. Last year’s event raised about $21,000, the foundation said.
Board members asked about outreach to smaller schools that did not apply and about tracking application submissions; the MEF said it monitors submissions and will do more targeted outreach to ensure all schools are aware of funding opportunities.
The grants were on the board agenda for approval later in the meeting as part of the financial resolutions.