O'Maley Courtyard Campaign hits a major milestone: $1M raised!

GEF is thrilled to have surpassed the first $1 million milestone in our $3 million campaign to transform the O’Maley Courtyard into a vibrant space for learning, movement, play, and community.

This progress has been made possible by extraordinary leadership-level support from Maggie and Joe Rosa, Linzee Coolidge, Institution for Savings, Cape Ann Savings Bank, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, thanks to the advocacy of Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Dru Tarr. It also includes donations made by dozens of individual GEF donors who pledged their support for this project at our 20th Annniversary Gala last fall.

It’s important to understand that this capital campaign is happening alongside - not instead of - GEF’s ongoing support for programs in the Gloucester Public Schools. We remain fully committed to funding opportunities such as band, theater, and STEM that enrich learning for Gloucester students every year. Last school year, as GEF raised all of the funds needed for the Courtyard design phase, we also secured and invested $475,000 in 25 different educator-driven, student-centered programs. This is thanks to generous GEF supporters who understand the value of sustaining and growing programs for today’s GPS students, while also creating a spectacular outdoor learning and recreational space that will serve generations to come.

Reaching $1 million is a major achievement, but we still have $2 million to raise to break ground on a new O’Maley Courtyard in Spring 2028. Learn more about the project here, and consider making a donation to our capital campaign to help us achieve our next milestone: $2 million!