The South Orange-Maplewood
Education Foundation(SOMEF)
Fundraising efforts

The South Orange-Maplewood Education Foundation is a not for profit, 501 (c) (3) organization, and depends on the community to advance its work. Every dollar we raise goes back to the schools in the form of grant funding for teachers, special programs and projects that increase educational excellence and improve facilities. We raise money in the following ways:

• Private donations from individuals and local merchants: Anthony Garubo Salon, Maplewood Wines and Liquors and Classic Design Framing/CDF Gallery and others. Many companies have employee matching programs; ask your human resources department.
• Corporate supporters: PNC Bank’s “Grow up Great” initiative, which funded two social skills summer programs.
• SOMEF Fundraising events are highly popular in the community, and have raised significant sums over the years. Memorable events have included the Night of 100 Dinners (the 2007 dinner raised over $20K), Community Spelling Bee, Very Senior Prom, Harlem Wizards Game, Community Quiz Bowl, among others
• Annual Campaigns: The Honor Your Teacher Campaign allows families to purchase personalized SOMEF tribute cards as a special "thank you" to dedicated South Orange/Maplewood staff members. Tribute forms can be downloaded from our website. Great for saying "thank you" to teachers and staff members at any time, and a wonderful end-of-year teacher gift! SOMEF conducts a Year-End Appeal in December. This year, our generous donors gave $11,500. Local parents support our Back-to-School Campaign each fall.
• Foundation Grants from local and national organizations including the Orange Orphan Society, the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, the Frantzel Foundation, our local Rotary Clubs, the Maplewood Mayor’s Ball, the Haberman Family Foundation, the Starbucks Foundation, among others.