Giving Initiatives
The BEF works diligently to give funds back to students and staff in the Berkley School District. The Foundation supports four giving initiatives: Staff Innovation-Grants, Free Enrichment Programs for elementary and middle school students, an annual 8th Grade College and Career Tour and Scholarships for Maxfield Science Symposium winners.
Learn more about each of our giving initiatives, below.
Innovation-Grant Program
The Berkley Education Foundation offers Innovation-Grants to any staff member in the Berkley School District, Building Blocks through Adult Transition. These grants are offered in the Fall and Spring.
The BEF funds innovative project requests, special materials to enhance lessons, field trips to new places, and educational technology. Innovation-Grants are for more than basic classroom supplies. They are an opportunity for staff members to be creative, push the envelope and expand learning for students. Grants are awarded via committee to as many applicants as possible. The annual Innovation-Grant budget is $15,000.
Enrichment Programs
The Berkley Education Foundation offers funds for club and activities that enhance the educational experience of our elementary and middle school students for free. BEF Enrichment Funds can be used to purchase supplies to start a club and provide pay for club sponsors.
Some BEF Enrichments include Taste of History, Lego Club, Fiber Arts Club, Fueling Up Our Future, Writing Club, Planting Club, Knitting Club and Chess Club.
If you are a Berkley Schools Staff member who is interested in offering an Enrichment at your school, please speak with your building administrator. Budgets get set for each school in the early Fall.
8th Grade College + Career Tour
The Berkley Education Foundation provides a free annual 8th grade college + career field trip for students at Anderson Middle School and Norup International.
In past years, students have toured the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, Oakland University, University of Detroit Mercy and Oakland Schools Technical Campus. Each year the BEF arranges the trip and provides bussing, lunch and often a give-away from the University. This annual trip to a college campus allows students an early look toward a post-secondary future.
The BEF accepts donations to continue to fund the 8th grade college tours - every $150 raised sends 5 students on a tour.
Maxfield Science Symposium Scholarships
The Maxfield Science Symposium is a science competition where Berkley High School students design, complete and present an original science experiment to a panel of judges.
The symposium is named after Dr. Bob Maxfield, who is a retired Berkley School District Superintendent.
The judges determine the final standings for students to earn scholarships funded by the Berkley Education Foundation. Annually, the BEF supports $4,000 in scholarships for the Symposium.