Help support Ludlow’s Playground!
Play it forward and help support Ludlow’s new playground! The Shaker Schools Foundation is partnering with the District, the City, and our community to build a vibrant new playground—a space designed to inspire learning, creativity, and connection for children and families alike. Through this collaboration, basic play structures are in place, but we need your help for the finishing touches! Learn how you can support our efforts!
EDUCATE, EMPOWER, EXPLORE, ENGAGE
Your Support Makes a Difference
At the Shaker Schools Foundation, we’re deeply committed to ensuring that every child in the Shaker Heights Schools has the opportunity to thrive. Your generosity fuels our mission!
- Over 350 students received direct support through travel assistance, Level the Playing Field or Beyond the Desk opportunity assistance scholarships.
- The Foundation supported over 130 projects and enrichment grants that enhanced learning by funding field trips, author visits, classroom resources and more.
- Over 700 students benefited from the new Fashion Design Courses at the High School and Design & Inquiry Courses at the Middle School supported by the Foundation.
- Shaker Schools Foundation was proud to fund supplies for design labs and sensory spaces throughout the District, empowering STEAM and SEL learning.
Total support from the Shaker Schools Foundation totaled over $350,000 in 2023-2024.
View our 2024 Donor Appreciation Report to see our impact in action!
Please watch our Shaker Schools Foundation mission video.
See how we are investing in students’ futures with our organizational fund at the Cleveland Foundation.
Our Board of Trustees
Cathy Zbanek, President
Jonas Ng, Vice President
Christopher Hunter, Treasurer
Barbara Nolan, Secretary
Ramona Lowery-Ferrell, Community Engagement Liaison
Jennifer Lawry Adams
Eileen Anderson
Alison Bibb-Carson, Board of Education Liaison
Michael Bowen
Kevin L. Clayton
Nicol Coxon
Mity Fowler
Mark Freeman
David Glasner, Superintendent
Christine Medvedev
Cliff Mendelsohn
Jay Morgan
Phillip Rowland-Seymour
Scott Shelfer
Tricia Stevenson
Carter Strang
Brittany Webb
Read bios here.
Advisory Committee
Anne Borchert, Chair
Joanie Adler
Tom Adler
Amy Halushka
Maxine Isaacs
Peter Lawson Jones
Nancy Karr
Barb Miller
Zachary Paris
Terry Pollack
Jennifer Proe
Deborah Ratner, Emeritus
Ronald Ratner
Susan Ratner
Adam Roth
Susan Roth
Tiara Sargeant
Abby Sims
Eliot Sims
Caroline Weingart
Steve Weitzner
Mariama Whyte
Our Staff
Holly Coughlin McCormick, Executive Director
Laura Orazi, Director of Development
Erica Verderber, Senior Administrative Assistant
Sharon Galin, Alumni Liaison
Megan Hanger, Development Associate
Marla Walker, Marketing and Communications Specialist
Stay Connected
Sign-up for our Alumni and Foundation newsletters and follow us on social media.
Shaker Schools Foundation, Ph: 216-295-4329, Email: orazi_l@shaker.org
Shaker Schools Alumni, Ph: 216-295-4877, Email: shakeralumni@shaker.org
The Shaker Schools Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Our History:
The Shaker Schools Foundation is able to make a difference in the lives of all Shaker students throughout the District through the funds raised through individual donations, grants and special events.
- SSF was the first foundation in Ohio to support a public school system when it launched in 1981. SSF helps with projects beyond the District’s budget, enriching and expanding opportunities for learning.
- SSF supports the District’s strategic initiatives around Educational Equity and IB (International Baccalaureate Programme). SSF raises and distributes funds for academics, arts, athletics, social-emotional learning, student opportunity assistance, technology and co-curriculars.
- Since its inception, SSF has raised and distributed over $12M in support of Shaker Schools.