Welcome to HEF
Since 1995, Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF) has partnered with the Hopkins Public Schools community and awarded $3.5 million district-wide to enrich all students with new learning experiences and resources.
Mark Your Calendars!
What a great school year this has been! Thanks to our generous supporters, we awarded nearly $175,000 in grants this year. We hosted successful fundraising events and brought our Hopkins School District community together. Kudos to all involved.
But we don’t rest on our laurels here at HEF. We are already planning for next year. Before you head off to enjoy the summer, mark your calendars to join us at
- Rock-n-Royal on September 23, 2023
- Royal Bash on March 2, 2024
Wrapping Up the Year with Smiles All Around
On April 30, HEF hosted Royal Family Run Day — a free afternoon of family fun at Eisenhower Community Center. A big thank you to our sponsors and many volunteers who made this event a big success. Visit the picture gallery to see all the fun.
On a sunny day in late May, HEF volunteers delivered 507 Gratitude Gifts to teachers and staff members. We at HEF are delighted that so many Hopkins families partnered with us to express their gratitude and help us raise $12,325 for future grants. A huge shout-out to BLVD Kitchen and Bar and Breadsmith for their generous sponsorship. See all the grateful smiles here.
HEF Awards 11 Grants Totaling $48,725 in April 2023
During the spring 2023 grant cycle, HEF awarded 11 grants totaling $48,525. The grant requests that we received this spring deliver a strong message that Hopkins teachers and staff are committed to providing an enriching educational experience that supports the whole student. We are delighted to partner with them to fund equipment for sensory / motor rooms to help students regulate their behavior, games to assist with developing social skills, camping equipment to ensure all students can participate in an outdoor experience, and STEM materials to promote hands-on learning in the classroom and at Kids and Company. We’re helping to support the arts through equipment for a drumline at North Junior High (soon to be North Middle School) and a DJ Techniques class at the high school. And we’re excited to partner with Hopkins Community Education to launch a fun and educational before and after-school program for middle school students. As always, we are grateful to our many donors who make these grants possible. Learn more.
Celebration, Farewell, and Looking Forward
The Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF) is celebrating the many contributions of its Executive Director, Jennifer St. Clair, as she plans her retirement from the role effective December 31, 2023.
Jennifer’s achievements on behalf of the Foundation and the community over the last 10 years are significant. Her leadership has enabled HEF to raise and invest +$1M into hundreds of grants that have improved educational experiences for thousands of students at Hopkins Public Schools. The creator of Rock N Royal and Royal Family Fun Day, she combines a sense of fun and community with a passion for the purpose: creating opportunity for Hopkins students. Further, Jennifer has expanded partnership with District leadership, creating stronger alignment and leverage of HEF grant funding to support District vision and strategies. Read more.
So what’s next for HEF? Jennifer will continue in her role as Executive Director through the end of 2023. HEF is interviewing candidates for our next executive director. We will have an announcement soon.
Step Into a Brilliant Future -- Special Appeal 2023
At HEF, we believe that every Hopkins student deserves a brilliant future and as a key partner in growing Hopkins students’ success, both in and out of the classroom, HEF is excited about the scope of this year’s special appeal, Step into a Brilliant Future.
Coming alongside Hopkins students in the core areas of reading and math while also increasing their paths for future careers and further education, this HEF Special Appeal:
- Impacts our earliest learners, K-6th, by maximizing teacher literacy training through science of reading components including multi-sensory manipulatives and engaging, high-interest decodable books for students at all Hopkins elementary schools to make learning personalized and meaningful for all students.
- Further develops math skills at all levels, Intermediate Algebra through Multivariable Calculus, for secondary students through the opening of the Academic Skills Center at Hopkins High School
- Expands the Health and Human Services Pathway of study at the high school to include the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), First Aid and CPR/AED certifications while continuing to support the Royals College and Career Center.
We hope that you will choose to give generously this year to HEF’s Special Appeal so all Hopkins students can confidently Step into a Brilliant Future!
It's Not Too Late for Some Royal Bash 2023 Fun!
Look at Us! Royal Bash 23 in Pics
Oh what a night! HEF’s Bash 23 was certainly one to remember! Take a moment to revist HEF’s largest fundraising event of the year with this gorgeous gallery from Michelle Wirth Photography.
get in on some Great Gathering Fun throughout the year
Sign up to attend a wide variety of events throughout the year! Great Gatherings are curated for smaller groups of 30-40 people or less.
Want to see who’s already signed up for a particular Great Gathering? Ready to lock in your spot and pay? Click below.