The South Orange-Maplewood
Education Foundation(SOMEF)
Fundraising

A not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, SOMEF relies on the generosity of donors who share SOMEF’s belief that, in an era when public school funding is simply not enough, a community must ensure the best possible education for its children. Our fundraising for Innovation in Education, Educational Equity and Exceptional Facilities is dedicated exclusively to maximizing the educational program offered to the children in the South Orange & Maplewood (NJ) public schools.

SOMEF raised over one million dollars in less than ten years. The money is put to work promptly for classroom grants for teachers, free tutoring for at-risk students, professional development, parent outreach, technology upgrades and facilities improvements in our schools. All of this is made possible by contributions from families, alumni, local businesses, corporations and foundations

SOMEF raises money in the following ways:

• Donations from the community: Over 2,500 individuals,Anthony Garubo Salon, The Junior League of Short Hills & the Oranges, Maplewood Mayor’s Ball, South Orange Village President’s Harvest Ball, The Tenth Muse Gallery, Village Wines, Kitchen a la Mode, Mona Lisa Gallery, Whole Foods, 3R Living, Maplewood Wine & Liquors, and the local Rotary Clubs.
• Major Gifts: The SOMEF Honor Roll of sustaining donors pledge amounts of at least $1,000 annually for three consecutive years to insure SOMEF’s annual initiatives.
• Corporate Sponsors and Matching Grants: Starbucks Foundation, PNC Bank Foundation, New York Merchantile Exchange, Prudential Corporation, and Centerline Capital Group.
  
• Popular Fundraising events: Night of 100 Dinners, Community Quiz Bowl, Newstead 5K Race, Very Senior Prom, Harlem Wizards Exhibition Game, Community Spelling Bee.
• Annual Campaigns: Back to School Campaign, Year-End Appeal, Teacher Grant Late Funding Appeal, Honor Your Teacher & Staff Tributes.
• Foundation Grants: The Atlantic Philanthropies, Orange Orphan Society, the Frantzel Foundation, Haberman Foundation and private family foundations.

We thank each and every donor for sharing our mission and supporting our passion to provide a wide range of learning opportunities that will prepare all of our childrento grow and excel. Please join us today by sending your contribution to PO Box 84, Maplewood, NJ, 07040 or, for amounts of $50 or more, via PayPal. We welcome your participation in our fundraising efforts. Contact us at info@somef.org or 973-378-5022.

A few of the "Funraisers": Fall 2006 Wizards Game