Hoboken Public Education Foundation Raises almost $400,000 at Seventh Annual Gala
Hoboken, NJ | May 1, 2024 – The Hoboken Public Education Foundation (HPEF) held its seventh Annual Gala on Thursday, April 25, bringing together more than 500 supporters united by their passion for the Hoboken Public School District (HPSD). Attendees included parents, elected officials, educators and business leaders who gathered at the W Hoboken to celebrate and bolster the foundation's mission of elevating and enhancing the Hoboken Public Schools.
Since its inception in 2015, HPEF has raised nearly $2,500,000 and remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Hoboken Public School District through private funding. As a parent-run, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the foundation has consistently championed initiatives aimed at enriching educational opportunities for the district’s 2,500+ students.
This year’s Gala was an exceptional success raising almost $400,000, which significantly exceeded prior years’ proceeds.
"It is very meaningful to see how this event brings together our community, and we are thrilled to see the tremendous support for our mission reflected in the overwhelming ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations at this year's Gala," said Jackie Dowd, President of HPEF. "The generosity of our community and sponsors enables us to continue to bring innovative programs to our public schools and expand the opportunities available to all students across the district.”
At this year’s Gala, HPEF spearheaded a targeted appeal to raise funds in support of HPSD’s upcoming Year of the Sciences, which aims to enhance student learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) during the 2024-2025 academic year. The District’s Year of the Sciences will include science-based field trips, fun and engaging classroom activities, science challenges and lab exhibitions, and science-based mentoring opportunities for high school students.
Prior to the Gala, HPEF committed to funding STEM-based field trips in grades K-8 and secured half of the funding required for new science classrooms at Brandt Elementary. To fully realize the District’s vision for the Year of the Sciences, the Gala’s targeted appeal raised $26,000 (including post-event contributions) that will:
● fully fund the Brandt science classrooms to mirror those at Connors and Wallace Elementary schools, so every K-5 student has the space and tools to do their best scientific learning;
● provide supplies, games, and other classroom resources for grades K-2 across the district, to instill a lifelong yearning for science in the youngest learners through fun and interactive activities; and,
● furnish individual supplies and maker space resources for grades 3-8 district-wide, to provide students with the materials they need to create customized science projects for an exciting exhibition the District plans to host.
The event honored Dan Cocoziello of Advance Realty, longtime supporter of HPEF, with the Shirael Pollack HPEF #AimHigher Award. Starting in 2017, when HPEF was a fledgling non-profit trying to secure initial funding, Advance Realty’s sponsorship of HPEF’s Annual Gala provided a pivotal endorsement. That partnership has endured and strengthened over the years. To date, through Dan’s leadership, Advance Realty has supported HPEF as a five-time Summa Cum Laude sponsor of the Annual Gala. Their generous and steady support through the years has directly enabled HPEF to bring numerous impactful programming initiatives to the Hoboken Public School District.
In addition to headline sponsors Advance Realty and Bijou Properties, this year’s event was made possible by 24 other corporate and small business sponsors and eighty individual families who championed this year’s Gala as “Gold Star Supporters.”
The event sold out in 12 hours, highlighting the Hoboken community’s dedication to and excitement for the annual event. All proceeds raised from Gala ticket sales, sponsorships and auction items will allow the non-profit organization to fund meaningful initiatives that collectively benefit every student across the district.
For more information about the Hoboken Public Education Foundation and its ongoing initiatives, visit www.hobokenpef.org to join HPEF’s email list, and follow @hobokenpef on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay updated on everything HPEF.
About The Hoboken Public Education Foundation (HPEF)
HPEF is a parent-run, non-profit organization whose mission is to elevate and enhance the public education experience through private funding. HPEF funds innovative and meaningful programs to strengthen and enrich the academic and co-curricular offerings of the Hoboken Public School District, and encourages the involvement of parents, community members and local businesses to generate a spirit of local enthusiasm for individual schools and the district as a whole.