Giving Tuesday Challenge Met! Thank You!
Our generous community of alumni, parents, staff and community members exceeded the $11,500 match and donated OVER $24,000 during the two week Giving Tuesday Challenge. Including the $11,500 in matching funds, we raised a total of $35,500 from 110 donors! These funds will assist the Shaker Schools Foundation in its mission to provide resources to enrich the educational experiences of all students in the Shaker Heights City Schools.
Our Mission
The Shaker Schools Foundation provides resources to enrich the educational experiences of students of the
Shaker Heights City Schools. The Shaker Schools Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Our History
Established in 1981, the Shaker Schools Foundation was one of the first in the nation to raise funds for a public school system. Since then, we have raised more than $3 million to support the tradition of excellence that sets the Shaker schools apart. Through the robust support of individual donors, community partners, and grants from local and national foundations, we are able to make a difference in the lives of all Shaker students at every grade level throughout the District.
Our Staff
Holly Coughlin, Executive Director
Laura Orazi, Director of Development
Erica Verderber, Senior Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Proe, Social Media and Marketing Associate
Holly Wang, Development Associate
Sharon Galin, Alumni Liaison
Board of Trustees
Dorothea Polster, President
Stasia Vavruska, Vice President
Doug Wang, Treasurer
Cathy Zbanek, Secretary
Eileen Anderson
Cathy Belk
Michael Bowen
Pawan K. Divakarla
Mark Freeman (Life Trustee)
David Glasner
Ayesha Bell Hardaway
William McGovern
Cliff Mendelsohn
Lisa Nersesian Richardson
Philip Rowland-Seymour
Paul Sauerland
Carter Strang
Brian Sullivan
Annette Tucker Sutherland
Brittany Webb
Fred Widen
Tom Wise
Advisory Committee
Nancy Karr, Chair
Jennifer Lawry Adams
Joanie Adler
Jamie Babbit
Anne Borchert
Maxine Isaacs
Kathryn Jones
Peter Lawson Jones
Barb Miller
K.J. Montgomery
Chris Nance
Marjorie Newman
Zach Paris
Terry Pollack
Deborah Ratner, Emeritus
Ronald Ratner
Susan Ratner
Robin Weaver
Our Mission in Motion
SERVING UP COFFEE WITH A SIDE OF LIFE SKILLS
The Shaker Schools Foundation partners with the Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum to support entrepreneurial ventures for our students. One example of that grant funding at work is a popular student-operated coffee cart at Shaker Heights High School.
Two days per week, the students in the multiple disability units at Shaker Heights High School team up with peers who are enrolled in the financial literacy class to sell coffee to staff members throughout the building. Read more.
