The History of the Wellesley Education Foundation
1984 - 1994
The Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF), originally established as the Citizens of Wellesley Public Education (CWPE), began its mission in 1984 – at a time when public schools in the state of Massachusetts faced drastic budget cuts and the departure of many educators.
During its formative years, it awarded its initial grants and hosted the first Annual Spelling Bee – an event that has become a time-honored tradition each November.
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WEF formally became known as the Wellesley Education Foundation in 1993.
1995 - 2005
During the mid 1990's, WEF began a focused effort to broaden its impact – resulting in a significant increase in its funding assets.
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The Permanent Fund was established in 1996, endowed with $25,000. The Fund further grew in 1998, when ten donors each contributed $10,000 – forming the Bradford Society. By 2004, the Permanent Fund had reached $1 million in assets.
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This era also marked the launch of the Red Apple Program in 2000, which has become a staple WEF fundraiser.
2006 - 2021
For the past 15 years, WEF has continued to grow as an organization and to increase its impact in the Wellesley Public Schools.
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In 2013, the Permanent Fund reached $2 million in assets, and in 2018, WEF surpassed $2 million in historical funding.
In the 2020-21 school year, WEF launched a partnership with local scientists and school administrators to support the implementation of one of the first public-school viral testing programs in the nation. The COVID-19 Innovation Fund provided $600K in funding for this endeavor.
Presidents by Year
2023 - 2024
Johanna Cahoon and Illana Nissenbaum
2022 - 2023
Amy Hernandez and Elizabeth Shlala
2021 - 2022
Amy Hernandez and Megan LeBlanc
2020 - 2021
Liz Larsen and Jenn Fallon
2019 - 2020
Maura Sullivan and Elizabeth Svedlund
2018 - 2019
Victoria Ostler and Maria Chase
2016 - 2018
Susan Ryan and Erica Recht
2014 - 2016
Linda Chow and Carol Morrow
2012 - 2014
Annie Cohen and Michelle Arbeely
2010 - 2012
Patti Quigley and Anna Sereiko
2008 - 2010
Susan Doran and Laura Hockett
2006 - 2008
KC Kato and Terri Tsagaris
2005 - 2006
Terri Tsagaris
2002 - 2005
Janet Larson
1999 - 2002
Arthur Priver
1997 - 1999
Laurie Whitley
1996 - 1998
Vickye Kivett
1992 - 1996
Craig D. Mills
xxxx - 1992
Nancy Saunders
1984 - xxxx
Frank Haydu