The Peabody Education Foundation, formerly known as the Peabody Education Council, is pleased to announce that the group is in the process of becoming a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, a move that will allow the Foundation to take on a greater role in assisting Peabody public schools. As a 501 (c) (3), the Peabody Education Foundation will be eligible to apply for government and private grants previously unavailable to the group, which will then be directed toward programs for Peabody’s students. The Peabody Education Foundation is hoping to have the application processed and approved by the end of September.
Founded in 1985 as the Peabody Education Council, the group has always promoted a collaboration of teachers, businesses, and citizens of Peabody working to provide supplementary activities and materials to students. The group, among the first of its kind in this area, is able to provide educational programs, materials, and technology to enhance the public school experience through fundraising activities and generous donations from the community. The mission and makeup of the group will remain the same once 501 (c) (3) status has been established; the biggest difference will be an increase in available sources of funding. The Peabody Education Foundation is hopeful that the community will continue to show the generous support of years past.
As part of becoming a 501 (c) (3), a decision was made to change the name from the Peabody Education Council to the Peabody Education Foundation, which is more consistent with similar organizations in surrounding cities. A new website will soon be launched, and the Foundation will be holding contest among Peabody students to design a new logo for the group. The Peabody Education Foundation would like to thank all those who have supported them throughout the group’s existence.
For more information, check out this article in the Peabody Patch: http://peabody.patch.com/articles/education-council-to-change-name-status