Friends Mission
The purpose of Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools, Inc. is to create an independent, community-based corporation to enhance the quality of education in the public schools of Marblehead, Massachusetts. The corporation is not intended to reduce or eliminate the town’s responsibility to support its public schools, but rather to supplement and enhance existing school programs and activities and to make possible new programs and activities. The corporation will work cooperatively with other local organizations and individuals interested in the public schools, including but not limited to the School Committee, faculty and administrative staff and their associations, Parent/Teacher organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, and concerned citizens.
Friends FAQ’s
What is FRIENDS?
Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools (‘Friends’) is an independent, community-based organization that raises money to enhance the quality of education in all Marblehead public schools, including Marblehead Charter Community Public School, in grades K-12.
Why does Marblehead need Friends?
The operating budget for our schools is level funded, meaning that to cover basic salary increases for inflation, there is a squeeze on everything else. It’s important to realize that money raised by Friends does not reduce or otherwise impact the town’s responsibility to support its public schools — Friends funds do not go toward salaries or core educational materials. Instead, the money Friends raises is used to enhance existing school programs, and fund new programs and activities for students.
How is Friends different from the PTO?
Friends is an independent 100% volunteer run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we run separately from any of the PTOs. We have a working Board of about 25 parents and professionals, several of whom are current or former school employees. While there are some areas of overlap in terms of the types of grants we may fund, in general Friends grants are broader in scope, more long term, and often more innovative in nature. School PTOs tend to fund more immediate needs for schools, so it’s important to support both Friends and your school’s PTO.
How does the Friends funding process work?
Friends supports the Marblehead public schools by funding grants. Every year, Friends invites teachers, parents, and community members to submit grant requests for activities and equipment that will directly enrich the educational experience of Marblehead public school students.
What is the Friends grant process?
The grant process starts with teachers, parents and community members who come up with a great idea. After doing some research and getting the approval of the building principal, they complete and submit the Friends online grant application for consideration.
Grant submissions are due mid-February. The Friends Board of Directors vote in April on which grants will be funded, and the approved grants are implemented in the following school year. Friends gives priority to grants that will impact the most students, as well as grants that pilot promising new programs. Visit the Grants section of our site to read about the grants we’ve funded.
Where does Friends get the money to fund these great grants?
Friends has two major fundraising efforts. Our fall Friends Drive is a town-wide direct mail campaign. Our Summer Soiree is held each June at a generous local family’s home. For the Summer Soiree, we engage both business and family sponsors, as well as sell tickets for a fun celebratory evening.
I’m interested! How do I get involved?
There are lots of options! Friends is completely supported by individual and business donations, so we welcome and appreciate your contributions to our Fall Drive and our Summer Soiree.
Another way to support Friends is to help a teacher write a grant for your school, or write a grant yourself! Every school has a Friends Representative who you will see at some PTO meetings and who communicates with your principal and teachers. Also, please feel free to reach out to us if you’re interested in joining the board.