Durango Education Foundation

The Durango Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that raises critical funding for the Durango School District through which it provides grants to teachers and schools, scholarships to graduating seniors, occasional fundraising campaigns for larger district needs, and service events for our entire educational community such as our fall and spring resource fairs and our Appreciation Celebration for all Durango School District Staff. Grants Program: During the 2024 calendar year, the Durango Education Foundation (DEF) regularly visited all 12 district schools to listen and gain relevant information about the needs and opportunities in each school and in the district as a whole. With that information, DEF held two grant competitions, one in spring 2024 and one in fall 2024. Teachers, schools, administrators, and community partners submitted grant applications and our grant committee awarded$130,000in grants throughout the district and to several DSD-serving community partners as well to support innovation and achievementin our local schools. Scholarship Program: During 2024, the Durango Education Foundation held a scholarship competition for graduating seniors in the Durango School Distict. In partnership with numerous local donors, DEF awarded 15 students a total of $102,000 in scholarship funding. Service Events: During the 2024 school year, DEF held both a Back to School Resource Fair (approximate attendance--500) and a Spring Resource Fair (approximate attendance--400) during which schools and over 50 local youth service providers gathered at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Parents and students accessed school supplies and critical information on programs and opportunities at the fall fair and, at the spring fair, parents and students were able to access information on important summer camps and activities and apply for scholarship assistance as well. Additionally, DEF held a Durango School District Staff Appreciation Celebration for the district during which outstanding staff awards were announced and all district personnel were recognized for their hard work. To support our two resource fairs, Durango Education Foundation gained$4,000 in sponsorships. Fundraising:DEF holds three primary fundraising activities throughout the year: 1) the Golf for Education Tournament which raised just over$50,000in 2024. In fall of 2024, DEF held the 2nd Spirits with the Spectres fundraiser that brought in approximately$35,000. Additionally, DEF partners with local businesses on a monthly basis to ask customers to round up for teachers. The Round Up for Teachers program raised$4,000 in 2024.Additionally, DEF partners with the following grant makers to support our public schools: The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado (The Ballantine Fund, Bartig-Small Fund, Katz Family Fund), The Sharma Foundation, the Moniker Foundation, the Kerr Foundation, and an anonymous foundation for a total ofapproximately $125K.