Gorham Educational Foundation
Who We Are
Gorham Educational Foundation seeks to provide funding for programs and projects which go above and beyond the basic curriculum and which are not reasonably expected to be funded within the scope of the school budget. We look for projects and programs developed by our educators based on their ideas about enhancing the educational experience of their students.
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GEF cares about making the educational experience of Gorham students creative, dynamic, and flexible. We are not just concerned about common core standards, specific or measurable teaching results, or test scores. We look for projects that will engage students and help them learn and think in imaginative and innovative ways.
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Current Board Members:
Amey Lewin, President
Michelle Inman Carlson, Vice President
Aaron Carlson, Treasurer
Kim Walker, Secretary
Lori Littlefield
Thom Courtney
Rachel Quinn
Our Mission
Gorham Educational Foundation is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the Gorham public schools. We support programs that encourage a thirst for knowledge, respect for the community, and responsible citizenship. Our core goals are to enrich learning, promote ethics and leadership, and support excellence in teaching.
GEF Gorham Apple Award
GEF thanks all of the families and community members who nominated teachers fo the first Gorham Apple Award! Voting is now closed. Winners will be presented with their apples by June 15th.
If you missed this fundraiser you may still donate using the button below or through our Facebook page. All funds go directly to supporting teachers and students in classrooms throughout the district.
"My students loved creating their own novels! They set their own word count goal, and kept track of their progress. The final product was a published copy of their novel!" -Ms. Grady, 4th grade, Narragansett
GEF was thrilled to help support Ms Grady and her 4th graders with their NaNoWriMo project which was a challenge for students to write a novel in 30 days. This grant made it possible for the students to publish their novels and possibly inspire some future writers!
I am so grateful for the grant I was awarded last year to help support math and literacy centers! I used the money to stock up on manipulatives that support our kindergarten math and reading/writing curriculums. My class used these a lot last year, and they were shared among the other K classrooms. We were able to start right off using them this year!
- Mrs. Brassard, Kindergarten,
Great Falls Elementary School
Upcoming Events
Apply For A Grant
Please read the following guidelines thoroughly and contact us if you have any questions.
Whether your project should be paid for within the school budget: We absolutely realize that there are basic items that are not covered by or are limited by school funding. The role of GEF is to fund projects which should not reasonably be within the responsibility of the school system to provide. Please note that multiple mini grant applications for the same project will be considered a major grant request.
Reach:
While we sometimes will fund projects that reach a small number of students or teachers, we are more likely to fund programs and projects with a greater reach. All grant decisions are made by the GEF Board of Directors and funding for any project is subject to the discretion of the Board.
Grant Disbursement:
If your project is funded we will deliver a check to the school Business Department, allocated to you as the grantee. Once you have heard from us regarding your grant you can contact the Business Department to see when you can access the funds. We will generally inform you when the check will be available.
Grant Reporting:
If your project is funded we ask that you submit a Grant Report within a month of the end of the project or within a year of funding, whichever comes first. The Grant Report should include a synopsis of the project and any feedback you may have. We encourage you to take pictures of your project in action and to submit them with your report. Reports can be emailed to
A Note About the Ownership of Equipment/Supplies Purchased with GEF Funds:
All Equipment and Supplies funded by GEF become the permanent property of the Gorham Schools. If you purchase equipment and leave the employ of the Gorham School System, the equipment/supplies must be turned over to your school administrator for use by another teacher within Gorham schools. All technological devices (iPads, e-readers, etc.) which require an account for use, must be registered and used only under a school account and all purchases related to that device made through the school account. You may not register a device under your personal account.
Apply For A Mini Grant
(We are accepting Mini Grant applications!)
Grants of $250.00 or Less
Please click below to fill out the Mini Grant Application.
Apply for a Major Grant
(We are currently not accepting Major Grant applications)
Grants of $251.00 to $1,200.00
Please click below to fill out the Major Grant Application.
Make a Donation
Our organization always appreciates the generosity and involvement of people like you, with every contribution going towards making Gorham schools even better. There are many ways you can donate, including designating GEF as a recipient on your Amazon Smile account or your United Way giving form. You can also make a direct donation using the link below or via mail.
Volunteer Your Time
Gorham Educational Foundation is currently seeking 4 board members. Whether you are new to Gorham or have lived here for many years, being involved with GEF is a wonderful way to support our students, teachers, and the Gorham community. To join or to get more information click Join Now to send us a message.
Contact Gorham Educational Foundation
PO Box 295 Gorham, ME 04038