Ocean City Education Foundation Wins Award

New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership (NJEFP) named the Ocean City Education Foundation (OCEF) as “Outstanding Education Foundation/Small” for the organization’s 2019 awards. NJEFP is a statewide organization dedicated to enhancing public education in New Jersey by growing and strengthening local education foundations through education, training, collaboration and advocacy. OCEF garnered the award in recognition of its fundraising efforts, mission, and support for the Ocean City School District as a whole. This year the foundation exceeded its fundraising expectations and greatly enhanced local awareness of the organization. “We are truly honored that OCEF was selected as ‘Outstanding Education Foundation/Small’ among so many other deserving foundations,” said Tricia Ciliberto, president of OCEF. “The support of our community makes everything we do possible.” OCEF is also being recognized for providing opportunities for district teachers and staff to develop innovative projects through grants; investing in programs that have a positive impact on student success; and developing an alumni network to encourage continued interest in and support of public education. “The members of Ocean City Education Foundation work hard all year long to create awareness for the foundation, raising funds and making grants possible for our staff members in the Ocean City School District,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor. Taylor continued, “Teachers have innovative ideas and projects that cannot always be funded through school resources. The Ed Foundation Teacher Grants provide the extra funding to continue to enhance and enrich our students’ school experiences. This honor is well-deserved and is a true credit to the Ed Foundation’s efforts to make the Ocean City School District one of the premier districts in New Jersey.” NJEFP also announced winners in the following categories:

• Outstanding Education Foundation/Large -- Morris Educational Foundation
• Outstanding Education Foundation Program – North Hunterdon Education Foundation

(College Bound Program)

• Outstanding Achievement in Fundraising – Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence
• Outstanding Partner/Funder – Lawrence Township Education Foundation (ETS)
• Outstanding Partner/Superintendent – Hoboken Public Education Foundation (Dr. Christine Johnson)

“We are privileged to see all of the exceptional work being done by education foundations throughout the state,” noted NJEFP President Randy Davis. Davis continued, "These awards provide an opportunity for more people to understand the tremendous impact education foundations are making in New Jersey each and every day. NJEFP is especially proud to provide this award to OCEF for their noteworthy efforts to advance public education in the Ocean City School District.” The award-winning education foundations were selected by a committee of judges comprised of NJEFP partners who are also national and state leaders in the education foundation community. The members include: Trudy Doyle, immediate past president, NJEFP and retired executive county superintendent; Shawn Gillon, treasurer, NJEFP and CPA/Partner, Withum; Robin Callahan, executive director, National School Foundation Association; Tracy Burger, associate director, Consortium of Florida Education Foundations; and Rita Nini, manager, Community Relations, Educational Testing Service (ETS). Awards will be presented and the winners recognized on Friday, March 29, at the NJEFP Education Foundation Awards luncheon at the Mercer Oaks Golf Club in West Windsor. Membership in NJEFP was not a prerequisite for nominations. For further information visit www.njefp.org