SEED stands for Supporters of Excellence in Educational Development, and is the educational foundation for the Shorewood, Wisconsin Public School District. SEED was founded in 2003 by a group of concerned parents in response to declining enrollment and severe cuts to the Shorewood School District annual budget. It has been well established that the success of a community’s school system is highly correlated to the overall quality of life for all residents. The Shorewood School District plays a critical role in making Shorewood a great place to live, learn, work, play, and do business.
The high quality of schools and life in Shorewood means that our community is a destination in high demand. In order to maintain the highest standard of education, SEED raises funds through our Annual Fund and special events throughout the year. In 2019, SEED donated $275,546 toward programming at all of our Shorewood Schools. Donors have given over $2,000,000 to our Shorewood Schools since 2003. See updated Financials here (coming soon).
These funds are distributed to schools through grants to individual teachers, departments, and programs, as well as funds to supplement holes in the annual budget for programming, technology, and equity and diversity efforts. SEED donates additional funds based on the priorities established by the school board and administration. The SEED Educate Forward Endowment Fund was established to provide long term financial support to the district, and 10% of all donations to SEED fund the endowment.
Mailing Address
Shorewood SEED Foundation
P.O. Box 71235
Shorewood, WI 53211
Email Address
If you have a question about the Shorewood SEED foundation, email shorewoodseed@gmail.com.
To promote educational excellence in Shorewood’s Public Schools.
- To ensure that each Shorewood public school student receives an education responsive to his or her talents and abilities, preparing the student to meet the challenges of the future.
- To act as a catalyst in the community and provide the Shorewood School District with the financial resources necessary to continue its tradition of excellence and innovation.
- To fund quality educational programming and initiatives in our schools that public resources are insufficient to support.
- To raise funds for Shorewood public schools via community-wide events, individual gifts, endowments and grants.
- To work in conjunction with the Shorewood School Board, administrators and district educators to identify and approve projects which enhance educational excellence in Shorewood public schools.
- To establish an endowment that provides long-term support.
- To foster community cohesion among Shorewood residents regarding the value of Shorewood public schools.
- To build and maintain alliances with other organizations supporting education in Shorewood; to remain aware of the identities and goals of these other supportive organizations.
- To create a sustainable, fiscally responsible organization; keeping overhead low and maximizing contributions to the schools.
- To maintain financial and organizational accountability through a system of public bylaws and a collaborative grant-making process.
- To act solely as a fundraising mechanism; policy, lobbying and other forms of political advocacy are excluded.
Why does a public school need private funding?
School districts across the country are facing state funding challenges. They are relying on the support of parents and the community to maintain excellence in academic programs and student services. SEED is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to assist Shorewood Schools in meeting these challenges.
What is the General Education Fund (GEF)?
The GEF funds the school budget. When SEED makes a donation to the GEF, it helps offset costs the district would otherwise need to fund. This helps to prevent further cuts in teachers, aides, staff, and student services.
How will my gift be used?
When you donate to the Annual Campaign you may choose to designate funds to specific categories, such as curriculum, arts, health & wellness, GEF, the Educate Forward Endowment and teacher and district grants.
What is SEED’s involvement with the Shorewood Excellence in Teaching Award?
A donor contributed money to Shorewood Schools via SEED to fund the Teaching Award. SEED has facilitated the process. No money SEED raises is being used to fund the award. An independent selection committee of educators and community members chooses the recipients.
How have the Meet the Match funds been utilized?
The Meet the Match Campaign raised a total of over $1,022,000 to support Expeditionary Learning ($412,000); Project Lead the Way ($350,000); Maker Space Areas ($100,000); Extracurricular Programs ($100,000); and Student Projects, Trips, and Expeditions ($60,000).