During a time when school districts must find creative ways to fund special programs, the Saline Area Schools Foundation is lending a helping hand. The foundation recently reached a $65,000 fundraising milestone and celebrated the accomplishment at a spring recognition reception.

“The Foundation for Saline Area Schools is becoming a critical partner in our district’s curriculum objectives,” said Steve Laatsch, assistant superintendent for instructional services.

In the past, he said, “Curriculum areas of focus could be supported solely by our general fund budget. Now, in a time of dwindling resources, we need as much assistance as possible from our community.”

Laatsch said the foundation is helping “in our efforts to reach out to seek the continual support we need from our parents, business professionals, and other citizens to remain at the forefront of strategic educational initiatives.”

This year was the foundation's first such fundraising campaign, and gathered money from private donors and other events.

This year, the foundation accepted a challenge from the district to fund Project Lead the Way, an instructional approach geared toward preparing students to be innovative and productive leaders in science, technology, engineering and math.

The curriculum was implemented with this year’s 7th grade class, and the funds will be used to expand the program into the 8th grade next year, according to information about the foundation. Two years ago, the foundation bought 60 laptops for 5th graders at Heritage Elementary.

Hoeft said school administration will be coming to the foundation in the next several weeks with a new program in need of funding. She’s hoping to raise even more money next year.

The foundation supports “academic projects, enrichment programs, and other activities aimed at enhancing the quality of education in the Saline school district,” she said.

Two types of grants are distributed annually by the foundation.

Strategic grants, such as Project Lead the Way, are designed to support major curricular or educational initiatives that have broad impact in the district, and fundraising efforts are centered on the project. The second type is teaching grants, generally limited to $1,000 for “innovative ideas and projects proposed by Saline educators that cannot be funded by the general budget,” Hoeft said.

Teachers and support staff can submit proposals for funding, with applications due in mid-October. The foundation, which is run by a board of directors that serve 3-year terms, awards the grants in November.

Scot Graden, superintendent of schools, said, "The Foundation for Saline Area Schools is a critical partner during these challenging times. Their support has allowed us to continue to explore new curriculum. Our students directly benefit from the support of the foundation.”

In addition, he said, "The trustee and supporters of the foundation are true advocates for maintaining quality public schools."

Hoeft said she hopes that more Saline school’s alumni will get involved in the foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter with AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Saline stories, visit our Saline page.