About the Nonprofit
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The mission of the Albany Fund for Education is to enhance opportunities for students in the City School District of Albany to learn, grow, and succeed.
Equity of opportunity is important to us, as is supporting the unique needs of different learners. We are focused on bringing opportunities to students, regardless of their socio-economic status, and supporting teachers and staff as they craft successful ways to open up the world for their students. We aim to connect good ideas with community resources to enrich the education and address the challenges of students in the Albany city school district — a district with tremendous assets but also a 60% poverty rate.
AFE makes a difference in our schools by:
Responding to immediate needs. When budget cuts and the COVID pandemic caused all 7-12 graders to learn online - but technology back orders meant that many families had three, four, or more students sharing one Chromebook, AFE opened the doors to virtual education by working with businesses, individuals, and local IT firms to put 700 new and refurbished computers in student hands, along with 500 prepaid hotspots.
Addressing food insecurity: If students are coming to school too hungry to concentrate, they can't learn, grow or succeed. AFE is a critical partner in Albany’s “Feed and Read” weekend backpack program. During the 2021-2022 school year, 590 students who would otherwise come to school hungry on Mondays receive backpacks of food to take home each Friday, along with an age-appropriate book - feeding the mind as well as the body! For the past three years, AFE has also provided summer weekend food bags to almost 350 students. To address food insecurity in the upper grades, AFE is establishing food pantries at three district middle schools, which will supply fresh produce, dairy, and meat, along with culturally specific foods important to our growing refugee population.
Providing grants for schools: AFE brings together educators and community organizations by funding grants that inspire students and bring innovative learning to our schools. $35,000 in annual grants fund educator-driven projects including field trips, author visits, STEM nights, and health/wellness projects.
Ensuring access to music education: AFE's instrument donation program has repaired more than 400 donated musical instruments so they can be used in the Albany City Schools, allowing students who do not have the financial ability to rent an instrument or take private lessons to access Albany’s exceptional music education program. A new initiative - music practice clubs - provide students in economically disadvantaged schools with the opportunity to practice their instrument with music teachers after school. For many of these students, practicing at home is impossible because they live in small apartments or even in shelters, and have parents or siblings who do shift work and need to sleep.
Encouraging students to become stewards of the environment through tree planting activities, gardening clubs and teacher professional development.
Providing $15,000+ in scholarships to Albany High School students annually.
