Freeport Educational Foundation

Butch Yamali, President

The Freeport Educational Foundation (FEF) was established nearly a decade ago with the mission of providing innovative programs, extraordinary learning experiences and the very best educational opportunities for all students throughout the Freeport community. The FEF is dedicated to strengthening relationships between school, community and local industry through events that bring together students, educators, families, business leaders, dignitaries, and other Freeport stakeholders.  

One of the primary goals of the FEF is to provide fiscal support to Freeport Public Schools. Since its inception, the foundation has raised more than a quarter million dollars in grants and scholarships. Each year, the FEF provides more than $30,000 in mini-grants to fund programs that promote student excellence. Educators are invited to apply for grants of up to $2,500 to subsidize innovative instructional projects.  

The purpose of these grants is to support project-based learning and assessment, increase student engagement and collaboration, develop critical 21st century skills, and foster creativity and innovation. Past themes have included: Educating the Whole Child, Equity and Inclusion and Social Emotional Learning in our Schools; and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) to Enhance Instruction and Engage Learners Through Learning Sciences. 

In addition to its successful grants programs, the foundation has funded nearly $30,000 in scholarships over the past six years, awarding up to 10 scholarships annually to deserving students. The FEF has also invested more than $26,000 in a variety of school programs, including; the purchase of a baby grand piano and sousaphone for the music program; installation of a new scoreboard for the softball field; and funding for the manufacture of an atomic force microscope, in partnership with Brookhaven National Labs. 

According to the FEF’s award nominator, “The Freeport Educational Foundation has had a tremendous impact on public education, providing innovative, extraordinary learning experiences to the children of our community.”