The Northampton Education Foundation (NEF) recently received the kind of news that a dedicated, all-volunteer nonprofit dreams of — an anonymous donor has stepped forward to donate $100,000 to our NEF Endowment campaign!
Imagine opening your email to read this from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM), which manages the NEF Endowment: “I’m thrilled to let you know about a new gift we’ve received to support NEF. The donor prefers to remain anonymous and so has come directly to CFWM and asked that we share their intentions with you. The donor has committed a total of $100,000….We at CFWM commend your hard and dedicated efforts in this endeavor that so moved a donor to make such a generous contribution!”
This is truly the best kind of surprise. It not only brings us that much closer to our goal — $1 million for the Endowment by the end of 2019 — but shows the generosity, vision and commitment of our community. What an affirmation that strong public schools are truly valued here in Northampton.
From all of us at NEF, a huge thank you to anonymous for your gift and for your commitment to NEF and Northampton public schools. We can’t help but wonder if the Gazette’s terrific piece on the NEF Endowment in its Oct. 16 issue, “Giving educators a chance to dream big,” may have sparked this incredible gift.
Thanks to the Gazette for playing the informing role that a vibrant community like ours very much requires. The article provided a variety of stakeholders’ perspectives on why supporting the NEF Endowment matters. We are encouraged that both the voices in that article, and now this incredible gift, will help inspire other community members to support the NEF Endowment campaign.
Jennifer Sanders
James and Lisa Papademetriou
Martin Wohl
James and Lisa Papademetriou are co-presidents of NEF; Wohl is chair of the NEF Endownment campaign; and Sanders is an NEF member