The Gloucester Education Foundation drives innovation, encourages creativity, expands student opportunities, and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Gloucester Public School District. Since 2005, we have raised over $11 million to support thousands of students in the Gloucester Schools.

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O'Maley Courtyard

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GEF FY25 Impact Report celebrates hands-on learning!
GEF FY25 Impact Report celebrates hands-on learning!
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Arts Fest 2025: a grand success!
Arts Fest 2025: a grand success!

A recap of GEF and GPS’s annual celebration of arts and creativity!

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Power of Play Returns in 2025!
Power of Play Returns in 2025!

Everyone’s favorite “Day of Play” is back!

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2024 was a big year - check out some highlights!
2024 was a big year - check out some highlights!

Our annual Year-in-Review

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Congrats to the new National Arts Honors Society members who were inducted last night at GHS! And special kudos to NAHS President Mylee Towne, who is also a GEF Student Advisor, for their leadership of this growing group of creative, talented student
Congrats to the new National Arts Honors Society members who were inducted last night at GHS! And special kudos to NAHS President Mylee Towne, who is also a GEF Student Advisor, for their leadership of this growing group of creative, talented students.
Yesterday's service for the inimitable Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante was inspiring, heartbreaking, and overflowing with love and community. As Governor Healy said: “Ann-Margaret sent out ripples of hope from Gloucester Harbor each day. She moved u
Yesterday's service for the inimitable Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante was inspiring, heartbreaking, and overflowing with love and community. As Governor Healy said: “Ann-Margaret sent out ripples of hope from Gloucester Harbor each day. She moved us to be better, be kinder and make a difference if you can. Her legacy will be far greater than she could imagine. It’s that each one of us can change the world one person at a time — that is her gift to us.” What a gift. Let's honor her legacy by continuing to try, every day, to make a difference and change the world for the better. Thank you, Ann-Margaret, for being a friend to GEF, an advocate for public education, and a champion for Gloucester's students and teachers - and especially, in recent years, for O'Maley's Science Central. You will be so missed.
GEF is proud to serve in this network of terrific local nonprofits to support education; youth, families and seniors; arts and culture; and natural resources across Cape Ann. On this #GivingTuesday, we encourage you to #GiveLocal to any (or all? 😉)
GEF is proud to serve in this network of terrific local nonprofits to support education; youth, families and seniors; arts and culture; and natural resources across Cape Ann. On this #GivingTuesday, we encourage you to #GiveLocal to any (or all? 😉) of these wonderful organizations working to make our region ever-stronger!
The GHS production of The Sound of Music is a delight. Opening night last night was terrific and these hard-working, talented kids got a well-deserved standing O from the lively crowd - plus a little sing along action during the curtain call! Don&rsq
The GHS production of The Sound of Music is a delight. Opening night last night was terrific and these hard-working, talented kids got a well-deserved standing O from the lively crowd - plus a little sing along action during the curtain call! Don’t miss it!
A fun afternoon delivering #littlefreelibraries, handcrafted by GHS Carpentry students for GEF to auction off at our recent Gala! Four of them went to the GPS elementary schools, thanks to live auction bids from Ruth Pino and Jonathan Rich. The fifth
A fun afternoon delivering #littlefreelibraries, handcrafted by GHS Carpentry students for GEF to auction off at our recent Gala! Four of them went to the GPS elementary schools, thanks to live auction bids from Ruth Pino and Jonathan Rich. The fifth went to @kindred_gardens after their director Misty Amero had the winning bid in our silent auction. Together, the five little free libraries raised $8,700 for future GEF programs! Kudos to GHS juniors Melqui Velasquez, Jacob Nocella and Joseph Loiacano; seniors Thomas Cribbs, Kyle Collins, and Sean Abell; and their teacher Steve Abell for their creativity and leadership on this project. Stay tuned to see these painted and installed at each school!
Our Executive Director’s kids - and dog Rosie - woke up very confused to find an art gallery on their lawn yesterday. They’ve been FRAMED!!! 🖼️ ‼️🖼️‼️And need to donate $20 to get their lawn back! Those rascals over at @gloucesterhigh.
Our Executive Director’s kids - and dog Rosie - woke up very confused to find an art gallery on their lawn yesterday. They’ve been FRAMED!!! 🖼️ ‼️🖼️‼️And need to donate $20 to get their lawn back! Those rascals over at @gloucesterhigh.nahs - that’s the National Arts Honors Society - must’ve done this. Who will they frame next? 🤔 🤔 🤔
20th Anniversary Gala was a joyful night of reflection, celebration, and inspiration. From GEF senior @jeferson_do_carmo07 'skeynote speech to @senatorbrucetarr's rousing auction to our current and past board presidents' movings toast to the unbelie
20th Anniversary Gala was a joyful night of reflection, celebration, and inspiration. From GEF senior @jeferson_do_carmo07 'skeynote speech to @senatorbrucetarr's rousing auction to our current and past board presidents' movings toast to the unbelievable outpouring of support for GEF's two decades of impact to the parade of sequins, SPARKS SURE DID FLY! Icing on the (gorgeous @caffesicilia01930) cake? Sharing the concept for the new O'Maley courtyard! Learn all about it at www.thinkthebest.org/courtyard ! Link in bio. 📸 by GHS Class of 2024's Cameron Widtfeldt
GEF’s 20th Anniversary Gala. Jeferson Do Carmo is a senior at Gloucester High School and is serving in his 3rd year as a GEF Student Advisor. He is active in many GHS programs. Jeferson was selected as our student speaker because he represents what happens when students take advantage of every opportunity GPS has to offer, especially those funded by GEF. He is an accomplished and articulate student, and an all-around wonderful person who constantly seeks to make a positive impact on his community. He is a leader in everything he does and makes Gloucester and GEF proud.
We have some seriously delicious food + drink items in our online silent auction. You have two more days to get in on the action and place a bid! (While we celebrate, we also know many of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity - always, but esp
We have some seriously delicious food + drink items in our online silent auction. You have two more days to get in on the action and place a bid! (While we celebrate, we also know many of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity - always, but especially right now. Please consider a donation to The Open Door to match your bid on one of these silent auction items ♥).
So fun to watch GEF volunteer and interior designer Rochelle Grenier of @soughtinteriors lay out our photo gallery for the gala today! 20 years of GEF in pictures…we can’t wait to hang this at @cruiseportgloucester on Thursday!
So fun to watch GEF volunteer and interior designer Rochelle Grenier of @soughtinteriors lay out our photo gallery for the gala today! 20 years of GEF in pictures…we can’t wait to hang this at @cruiseportgloucester on Thursday!
It’s game day for the red-hot Pats! 🏈 🔥 Get in on the action with amazing GEF online auction items for every sports fan, from Patriots–Giants tickets (with parking!) to a signed Red Sox baseball, a women’s college hockey experienc
It’s game day for the red-hot Pats! 🏈 🔥 Get in on the action with amazing GEF online auction items for every sports fan, from Patriots–Giants tickets (with parking!) to a signed Red Sox baseball, a women’s college hockey experience, and a 2026 season pass to North Shore Adventures. Don’t sit on the sidelines: place your bids today!👇🏼
Happy Halloween! Enjoy and be safe. 👻🎃 AND: looking for some special family activities once Spooky Season ends? Check out all of the family-friendly items and packages in GEF's 20th Anniversary online auction! Thanks to our generous community, you
Happy Halloween! Enjoy and be safe. 👻🎃 AND: looking for some special family activities once Spooky Season ends? Check out all of the family-friendly items and packages in GEF's 20th Anniversary online auction! Thanks to our generous community, your next stocking stuffer, birthday party, or family tradition could support GEF's dynamic programs for GPS instead of a big box store or anonymous corporation! Place your bids now through November 6th 👉🏼 www.thinkthebest.org/auction
The GEF Gala is sold out, but anyone can get in on the action with our online auction! Bidding opens today and continues through November 6th, and the items are amazing: 🍣Been dying to try the omikase at @sushisanglee ? ⛷Craving a winter adventure
The GEF Gala is sold out, but anyone can get in on the action with our online auction! Bidding opens today and continues through November 6th, and the items are amazing: 🍣Been dying to try the omikase at @sushisanglee ? ⛷Craving a winter adventure in the White Mountains? 🐄Kids want a behind-the-scenes tour of the 2026 Topsfield Fair? 🎨Want to own an original by one of Cape Ann's incredible artists? 🎄Want help from @sugarmagnoliasgloucesterma for your holiday party? 🏈Want to check out the red-hot @patriots (and not worry about parking)? 🎳⛸ How about letting @capeannlanes or Talbot Rink host your next birthday? 🐋☀🚣🏾‍♀️🏖 Thinking ahead to summer already? We got you covered with a yacht tour, season pass to @north.shore.adventures, a beach bundle from @gortonsseafood, tennis lessons with Avis Murray, and so much more! Heck, there's even a LABUBU in there! Join the fun at www.thinkthebest.org/auction. Your participation fuels programs that make learning come alive: in classrooms, on stages, and in labs across Gloucester schools. So browse, bid, share widely, and help us keep the sparks flying for another 20 years!
GEF Board Member Dawn - and GEF Board Dog Pip! - passed out candy in front of our office during the adorable Toddler Halloween Parade today. Always a happy day on Main Street! 🎃 👻 🍭
GEF Board Member Dawn - and GEF Board Dog Pip! - passed out candy in front of our office during the adorable Toddler Halloween Parade today. Always a happy day on Main Street! 🎃 👻 🍭
The GHS Carpentry Shop built these AMAZING Little Free Libraries for GEF! They will be auctioned off at our gala on 11/6, to be placed at each elementary school (after being painted by students in each school’s signature colors 💙💚🩵💜). PLUS: there’s a fifth one that a lucky community member will win for their home or neighborhood, too, through our 20th anniversary silent auction! It goes live on Monday at www.thinkthebest.org, and anyone can place a bid - you don’t need gala tickets to get in on the celebration. Thank you to Carpentry teacher Steve Abell for leading this effort, and volunteer Kristin Michel for dreaming up the idea.
Congrats to the new National Arts Honors Society members who were inducted last night at GHS! And special kudos to NAHS President Mylee Towne, who is also a GEF Student Advisor, for their leadership of this growing group of creative, talented student Yesterday's service for the inimitable Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante was inspiring, heartbreaking, and overflowing with love and community. As Governor Healy said: “Ann-Margaret sent out ripples of hope from Gloucester Harbor each day. She moved u GEF is proud to serve in this network of terrific local nonprofits to support education; youth, families and seniors; arts and culture; and natural resources across Cape Ann. On this #GivingTuesday, we encourage you to #GiveLocal to any (or all? 😉) The GHS production of The Sound of Music is a delight. Opening night last night was terrific and these hard-working, talented kids got a well-deserved standing O from the lively crowd - plus a little sing along action during the curtain call! Don&rsq A fun afternoon delivering #littlefreelibraries, handcrafted by GHS Carpentry students for GEF to auction off at our recent Gala! Four of them went to the GPS elementary schools, thanks to live auction bids from Ruth Pino and Jonathan Rich. The fifth Our Executive Director’s kids - and dog Rosie - woke up very confused to find an art gallery on their lawn yesterday. They’ve been FRAMED!!! 🖼️ ‼️🖼️‼️And need to donate $20 to get their lawn back! Those rascals over at @gloucesterhigh. 20th Anniversary Gala was a joyful night of reflection, celebration, and inspiration. From GEF senior @jeferson_do_carmo07 'skeynote speech to @senatorbrucetarr's rousing auction to our current and past board presidents' movings toast to the unbelie
GEF’s 20th Anniversary Gala. Jeferson Do Carmo is a senior at Gloucester High School and is serving in his 3rd year as a GEF Student Advisor. He is active in many GHS programs. Jeferson was selected as our student speaker because he represent
We have some seriously delicious food + drink items in our online silent auction. You have two more days to get in on the action and place a bid! (While we celebrate, we also know many of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity - always, but esp So fun to watch GEF volunteer and interior designer Rochelle Grenier of @soughtinteriors lay out our photo gallery for the gala today! 20 years of GEF in pictures…we can’t wait to hang this at @cruiseportgloucester on Thursday! It’s game day for the red-hot Pats! 🏈 🔥 Get in on the action with amazing GEF online auction items for every sports fan, from Patriots–Giants tickets (with parking!) to a signed Red Sox baseball, a women’s college hockey experienc Happy Halloween! Enjoy and be safe. 👻🎃 AND: looking for some special family activities once Spooky Season ends? Check out all of the family-friendly items and packages in GEF's 20th Anniversary online auction! Thanks to our generous community, you The GEF Gala is sold out, but anyone can get in on the action with our online auction! Bidding opens today and continues through November 6th, and the items are amazing: 🍣Been dying to try the omikase at @sushisanglee ? ⛷Craving a winter adventure GEF Board Member Dawn - and GEF Board Dog Pip! - passed out candy in front of our office during the adorable Toddler Halloween Parade today. Always a happy day on Main Street! 🎃 👻 🍭
The GHS Carpentry Shop built these AMAZING Little Free Libraries for GEF! They will be auctioned off at our gala on 11/6, to be placed at each elementary school (after being painted by students in each school’s signature colors 💙💚🩵💜). PLUS