Education Foundation Celebrates Its Founders, Marks 20-Year Anniversary

In 2004, when an override to increase the budget for the Falmouth public schools was defeated, the late Peter Kirwin and four other concerned citizens—four of them school committee members and all of them parents of public school students— gathered to discuss ways to ensure that teachers’ ability to respond to student needs would not be limited by public school budgets.

Their discussions led to the creation of a nonprofit foundation that would support the teachers’ imaginations and expand student experiences. They laid the foundation for the Falmouth Education Foundation, which became official the next year.

At its annual Winter Gala in March 2025 the foundation will celebrate its 20-year anniversary by honoring the remaining founders: Judith Fenwick, Thomas Kirkman, Jamie MacDonald and Thomas Stone, all of whom continue to be active in the Falmouth community.

The four came together recently to look back on the foundation’s beginnings. From the start the conversations were “easy,” Ms. Fenwick said. “The group was in agreement, enthusiastic and collaborative, and we got to work.”

“And we were optimistic,” Mr. Stone added.

After the founders had the beginnings of a plan and momentum, they disbanded to become part of a larger design team made up of school committee members, teachers and parents. The team spent more than a year researching similar nonprofits. There were more than 50 in Massachusetts at the time.

In its first granting year the foundation granted $15,000 for six projects. Last year the foundation granted $168,000 for 41 project grants, which have no cap on requested amounts, and 50 mini grants, which are for immediate unexpected learning opportunities and are capped at $350 per request. Proposals represented every grade level, discipline and school in the district. Funded projects focused on literacy and numeracy, STEAM and wellness, and community service and collaboration. Some were for trips to theaters or museums in Boston or New York or on research vessels out of Woods Hole. Some brought visits from diverse authors or performers. Since 2006, the foundation has awarded more than $1.75 million in grants.

“The Falmouth Education Foundation opens up educational opportunity,” Mr. Kirkman said. “Students meet people and have experiences they otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to.”

“We weren’t looking for a badge of honor,” Mr. MacDonald added. “We only wanted to give the Falmouth teachers more chances to reach beyond the established curriculum.”

The March 22, 2025 gala will be at the Sea Crest Beach Resort in North Falmouth. Tickets are $100 per person and are available at www.falmoutheducationfnd.org, or text FEFGALA2025 to 76278.