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 who submit a completed application will automatically be considered for every scholarship for which they qualify. To ensure full consideration, please complete all sections of the application thoroughly.

The deadline to apply for all scholarships is April 1. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at Honors Night and will receive additional information regarding the distribution of awarded funds.

Please note that scholarship availability may vary from year to year, and award amounts may differ based on available funding.

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.

• Becker (2 $500 athletic chosen by the school)
• Basore ($1000 chosen by the physics teacher)
• Twining ($500)
• Greenway ($1000)
• Legacy of Inclusion ($200)

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.

The Stockbridge Area Educational Foundation (SAEF) has recognized outstanding Stockbridge Community Schools employees through its Employee of the Year Award for many years. Since 2013, the award has included a $1,500 grant to support an educational endeavor, program, scholarship, or initiative selected by the recipient.

This opportunity is made possible through the generosity of the Mitteer Family in honor of Helen B. Mitteer, a dedicated educator whose lifelong commitment to Stockbridge students continues to inspire excellence throughout our schools.

Nominate a Deserving Employee

SAEF welcomes nominations from any member of the community for employees serving Stockbridge Community Schools in any role.

To submit a nomination, please provide:

• The nominee's name, position, and years of service
• Reasons for the nomination
• Specific examples of the nominee's positive impact on students, families, staff, and the school community
• Examples of how the nominee creates and reinforces high expectations
• Innovative programs, practices, or approaches the nominee has implemented to improve learning or job performance
• Examples of community involvement and professional collaboration

Nominations must be submitted to the Superintendent of Stockbridge Community Schools by July 1 each year. Nominations are reviewed during the Foundation's July meeting, and the recipient is announced in the fall.

About Helen B. Mitteer

Helen Bullis Mitteer began her teaching career in 1929 in a one-room schoolhouse near Pinckney, Michigan. In 1930, she joined Stockbridge Schools as a fifth and sixth grade teacher and devoted the next 40 years to educating Stockbridge students. For many years, she served as the school's only kindergarten teacher at Smith Elementary.

Mrs. Mitteer was remembered as a caring, patient, and dedicated educator who positively influenced generations of students. Through the Helen B. Mitteer Employee of the Year Award, her legacy continues by recognizing employees who demonstrate the same selfless commitment to the students and families of Stockbridge Community Schools.

Award History

Since 2003, the following individuals have been recognized as Employee of the Year:

Employee of the Year

• 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

• 2013 – Lucy Learned
• 2014 – Michelle Ruh
• 2015 – Elizabeth Cyr
• 2016 – Kim Carpenter
• 2017 – Bryan Tasior
• 2018 – Kerri Allen
• 2019 – Nichole Bowory
• 2020 – Katherine Anderson
• 2021 – Jennifer Goble
• 2022 – Michelle Hilla
• 2023 – Leslie Cummings
• 2024 – Lissa Avis
• 2025 – Brenda Clear
• 2026 – Robert Richards & Jessica Lane

Continuing a Legacy of Excellence

The Employee of the Year Award celebrates the educators and staff members who make a lasting difference in the lives of Stockbridge students. Through the generosity of the Mitteer Family and the dedication of our school employees, Helen B. Mitteer's legacy of service, compassion, and excellence continues to thrive.

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.