Stories of Grants & Giving

Grants Awarded: March 2024

The Appleton Education Foundation board of directors recently approved 21 grants totaling more than $28,800 to creatively enhance education for students in the Appleton Area School District.   All funding is from the Appleton Education Foundation Fund, unless otherwise noted. Appleton … Read More

Berry Elementary educator and students pose with Appleton Education Foundation board and staff.

Grants Awarded: December 2023

The Appleton Education Foundation board of directors recently approved 21 grants totaling more than $23,000 to creatively enhance education for students in the Appleton Area School District.   All funding is from the Appleton Education Foundation Fund, unless otherwise noted. Appleton … Read More

Houdini Elementary students and their teacher pose with Appleton Education Foundation board members and grant check.

Grants Awarded: October 2023

The Appleton Education Foundation board of directors recently approved 17 grants totaling nearly $17,000 to creatively enhance education for students in the Appleton Area School District.   All funding is from the Appleton Education Foundation Fund, unless otherwise noted. Appleton Area … Read More

Golfers from Richmond Elementary School.

Knowledge Open 2023

Thank you to the nearly 200 golfers who joined us for the 25th annual Knowledge Open on Friday, July 21. We are grateful to all of our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who made this year the best yet— and great … Read More

Appleton West educator and students celebrate receiving an AEF grant.

Grants Awarded: May/June 2023

The Appleton Education Foundation board of directors recently approved the following 15 grants totaling more than $20,000 to creatively enhance education for students in the Appleton Area School District.   All funding is from the Appleton Education Foundation Fund, unless otherwise … Read More

Grants Awarded: March 2023

At its March meeting the Appleton Education Foundation board of directors approved the following 20 grants totaling more than $22,000 to creatively enhance education for students in the Appleton Area School District.   Appleton Area School District –  Appleton East High … Read More

Welcome Julie Pahnke to the AEF team!

Hello! My name is Julie Pahnke and I am AEF’s new Grants & Scholarships Manager. In my role, I will manage and further develop the Foundation’s growing grant and scholarship programs. It is a pleasure to be working with the … Read More

Grants Awarded: Dec. 2022

The AEF board of directors approved 14 grants totaling more than $13,000 in the second of four grant cycles during the 2022-23 school year. Appleton East High School$3,000 – to support a student-led community celebration for Black History Month Appleton … Read More

Grants Awarded: Oct. 2022

The AEF board of directors approved 24 grants totaling nearly $20,000 in the first of four grant cycles during the 2022-23 school year. Appleton East High School$2,100 – embroidery equipment for the Maker Space Appleton North High School$400 – cleaning … Read More

2022 Scullen Award recipient: Lee Allinger

Lee Allinger received AEF’s 2022 Thomas G. Scullen Leadership Award on October 12, to recognize his outstanding efforts — past and present — to improve education in the Fox Valley Region. Lee graduated from Appleton East High School and returned … Read More

5 ways to celebration National Support Public Education Day

*This post is originally from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region’s The Loop. Saturday, July 30, is National Support Public Education Day. What’s worth celebrating? Nearly 86% of Wisconsin’s K-12 students attend public schools, according to this 2019-20 … Read More

Knowledge Open 2022

Despite the rainy and cool weather, nearly 200 golfers joined us for the 24th annual Knowledge Open on Friday, July 15. In the Knowledge Open all golf teams play to support an Appleton Area School District school. This year 18 … Read More

Scullen Leadership Award – call for nominations

The Appleton Education Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2022 Thomas G. Scullen Leadership Award. The award recognizes a Fox Cities resident who is considered a leader in the field of education like its namesake, the late Thomas Scullen, an … Read More

June 2022: More than $13,000 awarded

More than $13,000 was awarded during the final competitive grant cycle of the 2021-22 school year. Funding comes from four funds within the AEF: Appleton Education Foundation Endowment Fund, Gruner Family Community Mental Wellnes Fund, Vira and Alan Stoner Education … Read More

2020 Spring Grants – more than $10,000 awarded

The Appleton Education Foundation board of directors approved grants totaling more than $10,000 to support creative programs and projects that enhance the education of Appleton Area School District students. Eight projects are receiving funding. Funding comes from four funds within … Read More

Pumpkins Build Community for Badger Elementary

Question: What can $300 and a little creativity and teamwork do? Answer: For Appleton’s Badger Elementary School and its families, A LOT. Teachers Amanda Strupp and Jaynie Busche wanted to bring together Badger’s 370 students and their families while the … Read More

AEF Grants Inspire “Next Level” Teaching and Learning

Eric Vanderloop, Fox River Academy 7th/8th grade teacher, and his students have directly benefited from two AEF grants over the last three years. He says the Appleton Education Foundation allows teachers to “chase dreams” and inspire next level teaching and … Read More

Unveiling a new look

Earlier this year AEF turned 24 years old! To honor how AEF has grown, we are unveiling a new look to carry us into the future. The Look We’ve kept our purple and green and made them more vibrant – … Read More

Knowledge Open 2021

Thank you to the more than 170 golfers who took to the greens last week Friday for the 23rd annual Knowledge Open. It was a successful day thanks to our sponsors, volunteers and staff of Winagamie Golf Course. The Knowledge … Read More