An education foundation supports teacher and administrator requested projects that go above and beyond what can be funded by the school district. We aim to fund initiatives that spark curiosity, innovation and excitement in learning. The BTEF will supplement the school budget, contributing to our district’s continued excellence as a top-tier school system in our state. Did you know that there are 165 education foundations in New Jersey?

The PTO and BTEF will work hand in hand to strengthen our schools. The PTO focuses on individual schools, while the BTEF aspires to support district K-12 initiatives. Together, we will equip our schools with educational enrichment and growth opportunities to enhance each child’s educational journey.

Not at all. The PTO will continue its work at each school. The BTEF is an additional resource that funds teacher and administrator requested projects.

We fund teacher-requested initiatives that enrich the current curriculum. Examples of what New Jersey education foundations have funded in the past include: TV Studio Equipment, Interactive Topographic Maps, Microscope Cameras, Orton-Gillingham Training, K-12 Chromebooks, Professional Podcasting Equipment, Wind Turbines, STEAM Lab, 3D Scanning Technology, NJ Symphony Residency, Sports Video Cameras, and Literacy Listening Stations.

Teachers and administrators can apply for grants with the approval of the building administrator. The grants are then reviewed by our Grants Committee and eligible applications are forwarded for final approval by the Board of Education. We are committed to ensuring an equitable distribution of funds between our six schools. More details on our grant process will be posted soon.

The BTEF is committed to transparency. We will publish annual reports, financial statements and project outcomes so donors see our impact.

We are currently in the process of applying for 501(C)(3) tax-exempt status and hope to start accepting donations sometime in November 2025.

Welcome! Thank you for your commitment to our community! We will be open to accept sponsorships and donations in November 2025. In the meantime, email us at admin@bernardstef.org for more information.

Volunteer, spread the word, follow us on social media, and donate in November! Email us at admin@bernardstef.org. We look forward to hearing from you! If you are a WAMS/Ridge student looking to volunteer, we would love to have you join our student-led initiatives.