Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation

To fund programs and projects that create or enhance educational opportunities available to residents within the boundaries of the Stockbridge Community School District

SAEF is an independent, volunteer run, non profit 501(3)(c) Corporation founded in 2000 serving the Stockbridge Community School District Area residents.  We have a Board of 11 Officers & Directors including the permanent appointed positions of; Superintendent of SCS, one Board of Education member, and one SCS Staff person (usually a teacher), and eight elected community members representing the Munith, Gregory and Stockbridge Area’s equally.  Appointed positions are annual and director terms are 3 years, max 12.

Our mission is: “To fund programs and projects that create or enhance educational opportunities available to residents within the boundaries of the Stockbridge Community School District.”

We accomplish this is several ways.

• We provide grants!  We have awarded over $210,000.00 in educational grants since our inception supporting a wide range of programs and innovative ideas.  The Stockbridge Robotics team started with a grant, as well as our Stockbridge Community News Paper.  Grants are awarded to school personnel and community members and organizations alike. 

• We provide scholarships!  We awarded $20,700.00 in scholarships in 2021 to graduates of Stockbridge Community Schools who are furthering their education in a variety of fields.  SAEF currently manages 19 scholarship funds, many of which are memorial scholarships in honor of members of our Community who are no longer with us.

• We manage the Hellen Mitteer $1,500.00 Employee of the Year award!  This award goes to a school employee nominated by their peers or the community, for outstanding service to education.  The recipient of this award directs the funds to an educational cause of their choosing.

• We provide additional ongoing support to each building principal by allocating $2000.00 per year in Discretionary Funds, to be used quickly, without the need to wait for grant approval, to ensure that sudden and unexpected costs do not interfere with the education of students.

All students submitting an application will be considered for all scholarships for which they qualify based on the completed application. Please complete each section in its entirety. Scholarships will be awarded to recipients on Honors Night and will receive further information on how to receive funds that are awarded. 

The application deadline for all scholarships is April 1. Please use the online application form below.  Please note: some scholarships may not be awarded every year and scholarship awards may vary from the amount listed due to availability of funds. 

Available Scholarships

Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School based on essay content, activity, and achievements during high school, as well as letters of support. The award amount is commonly between $250 - $1,000. Multiple recipients are chosen each year. This scholarship is available for those pursuing college or a vocational trade.

Munith-Fitchburg Veterans Memorial Post 525 Scholarship

Awarded to high school graduates from Stockbridge, East Jackson, or Grass Lake who live in, or have ties to, the Waterloo Area.  Priority is given to family members of the Munith-Fitchburg American Legion Post 526, or the family member of a veteran. An essay and letters of support are also considerations. The award amount is common $1,000.

*Award consideration requires you to provide the name and Post Number if applicable of relatives who have been members of the American Legion, or who are veterans of any American War, and a paragraph describing your connection to the Waterloo Area.

Richard C. Howlett Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School who intend to major in education, civics, or government. Essay content, activity, and achievements during high school are also considered, along with letters of support. The award amount is commonly $1,000.        

Laura M. Goodin Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School based on extra-curricular participation, GPA, and letters of support. Preference may be given to participants in Cheer. The award amount is commonly $250. 

Bruce Wm. Brown Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School based on volunteer and community service activity during high school. Essay statements, years as a Stockbridge student, and letters of support are additional considerations. The award amount is commonly $1,000.                

Darwin D. Snider Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School for college, technical, or vocational training with an emphasis on (STEM) science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM-related awards during high school, GPA, and letters of support are also considered. The award amount is commonly $500.      

Richard A. Hoard Memorial Football Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School based on extra-curricular participation, essay content, and letters of support. Preference may be given to football participants. The award amount is commonly $500.                                                                                                                                     

Donna E. Schumacher Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School attending Michigan State University with a major in special education, elementary education, or mathematics education; or mathematics independent of a teacher-training program. Consideration will also be given to majors in the natural sciences independent of a teacher-training program. Essay statements and letters of support are additional considerations. The award amount is up to $5,000 divided equally between the first and second semesters following confirmation of MSU enrollment.  An applicant interview prior to award consideration may be requested and family members are encouraged to attend.  

Don E. Krummrey Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School accepted at an accredited college or university majoring in engineering. Letters of support and GPA are also considerations. The award amount is commonly $500. 

Chris Kruger Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School for college, technical, or vocational training with an emphasis on emergency services/first responder training. i.e., police officer, EMT (paramedic), or firefighter.  A minimum 2.5 GPA, postsecondary career interest, volunteer experiences, and two letters of support are considerations.  The award amount is commonly $500.  Funds will be issued in the name of the student and the advanced education program or university name.

Deputy Grant Whitaker Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School for college, technical, or vocational training with an emphasis on emergency services/first responder training or a closely related field.  The award amount is commonly $500.  

Hannah Lorraine Glair Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School based on essay content, letters of support, and school staff recommendation. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, have demonstrated community service, good personal qualities, and have a stated goal orientation. The award amount is commonly $500.                

Talan Tolliver Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to graduates of Stockbridge High School based on essay content, letters of support, and school staff recommendation.  This scholarship is open to all graduating seniors in honor of Talan Tolliver. The award amount is commonly $500.

Grant Application Overview - The Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation reviews and awards grant applications each year on a quarterly basis as funds permit. The Foundation holds four quarterly meetings on the last Thursday of January, April, July and October.

Proposals received by the 1st of January, April, July, or October will be reviewed for funding by the Foundation Board of Directors at the next quarterly meeting.

Only proposals that qualify according to the mission and purpose of the Foundation will be considered. Proposals that represent innovation, relevance, and originality will receive primary funding consideration. Requests that are recurrent will not be considered unless special financial circumstances exist.  Requests for classroom materials such as text books, curriculum and supplies needed for teachers to be able to perform their duties under contract will be referred to the SCS Board of Education and Superintendent for consideration before the grant committee considers them.

Foundation Purpose, Area Served: Purpose - To promote the education of area residents and to enhance the educational opportunities available to all its citizens. Area Served - That encompassing the Stockbridge Community School District.

Online Grant Application

The Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation has been awarding an Employee of the Year Award for many years and since 2013 this distinction is accompanied by $1,500 to be put toward any educational pursuit desired by the winner.  This award has been made possible by the Mitteer Family in honor of Helen B Mitteer through their generous donation to this prestigious award.

SAEF accepts nominations from any member of the community for anyone working at Stockbridge Community Schools in any capacity.  If you would like to submit a nomination please write a brief description of the individual, the position they hold, years of service and why you are nominating them.  Please provide specific examples of positive influence the nominee has had with students, parents and staff.  Describe how the nominee creates and reinforces high expectations.  Provide examples of unique programs and or approaches the nominee uses to improve learning or job performance.  And finally, describe the nominee's involvement within the community and with peers.  Please send nominations to the Superintendent of SCS  by July 1.  Nominees are considered at our July meeting an announced in the Fall each year.

All nominees are eligible to be awarded the Helen B. Mitteer Employee of the Year Award since 2013.  Prior winners of all awards are listed below.

As described by a beloved family member:  “Helen Bullis Mitteer was born in Pinckney, Michigan in 1910.  In the fall of 1929, Helen started teaching in a rural, one-room schoolhouse between Pinckney and Gregory.  Her salary was $1,035 per year.  In September 1930 Helen became the 5th and 6th grade teacher in the “new” Stockbridge School.  For the next forty years, Helen dedicated herself to Stockbridge Schools and its students.  For decades she was the only kindergarten teacher at Smith Elementary. 

Mrs. Mitteer was a committed, caring, and patient teacher to thousands of students in the Stockbridge Community, her dedication to Stockbridge Schools is now perpetuated by providing financial support to those employees who reflect her unselfish commitment to the students of Stockbridge Schools.“ 

Employee of the Year Award History

• 2003 Jo Mayer
• 2004 Jeff Boyer
• 2005 Anne Potts
• 2006 Thomas Tucker
• 2007 Eva Lou Mills
• 2008 Ella Love
• 2009 Rose Collison
• 2010 Duane Watson
• 2011 Karen  Sheathelm
• 2012 Robert Richards
• Helen B. Mitteer Employee of the Year Award History
• 2013  Lucy Learned  Secretary  Donated to Snider Scholarship  $1,500
• 2014  Michelle Ruh  Principal  Funded Heritage/Smith Pavilion  $1,500
• 2015  Elizabeth Cyr  English/Journalism Teacher  Travel expenses for students’ attendance at National Conference in California  $1,500
• 2016  Kim Carpenter  Bus Driver  $500 each to SHS Choir, Girls’ Track & Boys/Girls X-Country  $1,500
• 2017  Bryan Tasior  Science Teacher  “FIRST Robotics Program”  $1,500
• 2018  Kerri Allen  1st Grade Teacher Established Hannah Glair Memorial Scholarship Fund  $1,500
• 2019 Nichole Bowory $1,500 Special Education Resource Room
• 2020 Katherine Anderson $1,500 Early Literacy Programming
• 2021 Jennifer Goble $1,000 Agricultural Program $500 GSA
• 2022 Michelle Hilla $1,500 Chris Kruger Memorial Scholarship
• 2023 Leslie Cummings $1,500 Jr/Sr High School Safety
• 2024 Lissa Avis $750 First Robotics $750 Jr High Book Club

Looking to donate to the SAEF?

There are several ways to donate:

1. Attend our Annual Signature Fundraising Event:  The Festival Of Tables
2. Consider including us in your will. Below is a sample of the language you can include in your will.
3. Donate Directly to the S.A.E.F.  Contact any member of the Board or stop into the office at Smith, Heritage or Stockbridge High School.  Or send us a donation via PayPal using the email StockbridgeFoundation@gmail.com
4. Donate to The Jackson County Community Foundation for the sole benefit of the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation:
   Stockbridge Area Educational Endowment Fund
   Munith-Fitchburg Veterans Memorial Scholarship Fund
   Helen B. Mitteer Memorial Scholarship Fund

When you or your business makes a gift to one of The Jackson County Community Foundation’s endowment funds (such as the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation funds named above), your contribution may be tax deductible?  Please check with your Accountant regarding current Tax laws.

Sample Estate Language

I bequeath to the Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation of Stockbridge, Michigan, a Michigan nonprofit [501(c)(3)] organization, (dollar amount or a %) of my estate for deposit to the Foundation for scholarships and/or educational grants administered by the Foundation (Tax ID: 38-3621050). The Foundation is located at 100 Price Avenue, Stockbridge, MI 49285.