The Ed. Foundation honored As Nassau BOCES Education Partner

The Ed. Foundation of Port Washington is being lauded as one of the most devoted supporters of public education on Long Island. The Foundation is among 15 honorees to receive the 2023 Nassau BOCES Education Partner award, bestowed annually on those individuals and organizations that have had a profound effect on education in Nassau County.

A strategic education partner with school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES created the awards program to recognize those who share its mission of ensuring a successful, challenging, caring and safe environment that enables students of all ages and abilities to achieve their maximum potential. These outstanding individuals and organizations have made strides in accomplishing key educational goals embraced by Nassau BOCES, such as ensuring student success.

Sue Hershkowitz will represent The Ed. Foundation when it is honored at the awards gala held this month by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation. The Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that raises funds for innovative educational programs that fall outside of the agency’s budget.

In 2001, community advocate Amy Bass assembled a group of volunteers to form an education foundation with the goal of making a difference in the experience of students in the public schools in Port Washington. The following spring, the Port Washington Education Foundation (PWEF) awarded its first round of grants — totaling $20,329 — to fund 18 projects, ranging from an oral history study at Schreiber High School to math literacy workshops at the elementary schools. Since then, hundreds of grants have been awarded in all seven schools, at every grade level, in every subject area, totaling well over two million dollars. A marketing effort in the spring of 2015 rebranded the PWEF as The Ed. Foundation, with a new name, new logo and new look.

The Ed. Foundation’s mission has remained consistent for more than 20 years; to support initiatives that are beyond basic educational needs, and to enhance and expand educational opportunities for all students. The Foundation actively seeks donations, grants and government funds, and distributes them to selected programs and resources. Every year, teachers, administrators, parents, student, and community members are invited to submit an application for any program, equipment, or educational enhancement that they would like to be considered for funding. Each application is reviewed by a diverse evaluation committee, and grants are awarded to those programs that most align with the Foundation’s mission.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, the Foundation awarded 40 grants, totaling over $160,000. These grants include funding for robotics, before-school exercise groups, chess clubs, ASL in-residence programming, math support programs, ceramics equipment, sensory spaces, acapella and tenor choirs, and so much more.

In addition to their annual grant process, targeted donations over the years have helped to support ongoing programs, including The Ed. Foundation Support Center, the recording studio, TV station and WDOT radio station at Schreiber High School, NAO Robots, NextGen Manufacturing and Design, College Pioneers, the Blues with Toby Walker, Education Technology and Art Lab, and Innovations in Equity and Systemic Change.

For additional information about the Nassau BOCES Education Partner awards, including profiles of prior honorees and information on how to attend the gala, please visit www.nassauboces.org/ educationpartner.

About Nassau BOCES

A vital regional resource, Nassau BOCES offers state-of-the-art programs for learners of all ages and abilities, as well as cost-effective services for school districts and municipalities. We empower students to achieve their maximum potential in alternative, artistic, outdoor, special education, career and technical, and virtual educational environments. We offer adult education programs and a variety of programs that are vital to improving the Long Island regional economy. Our professional development advances teaching and learning on Long Island. In addition, our technology services form the backbone of many school districts’ infrastructure. As the county’s educational leader in implementing the state’s reform efforts, we are helping to shape the future of education. To learn more, visit www.nassauboces.org and like us at www.facebook. com/nassauboces.

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