The importance of education can't be overstated. And the work of the Manheim Township Education Foundation (MTEF) can be undervalued.

Because MTEF does so much for the Manheim Township School District behind the scenes, sometimes its work can be taken for granted. In fact, the foundation does so much good that one can't help but wonder what Township education might look like without MTEF.

"We aim to provide resources that bring our educators' ideas to life, and we want to make education more impactful for our learners," said MTEF executive director Becky Doumaux. "Without the Manheim Township Education Foundation, the school district would go without a lot of the extras that are enhancements for our learners. These things have been outfitted through grants throughout the year. The learning would still happen; it just wouldn't be as engaged."

On Aug. 28, Doumaux took over for Jenny Germann as MTEF's executive director, one of the foundation's two paid positions. The employees are supported by a board of 19 volunteer members, which includes two student representatives, a representative of the Manheim Township school board and other community members with a passion for education.

"There are parts of my responsibilities I'm still figuring out," said Doumaux. "We oversee the inner workings of the foundation. The executive director is typically the chief fundraiser. The fundraising aspect is a big part of what I'm doing, that and community awareness. I don't have specific goals yet beyond building upon the strength of the organization I've inherited and to continue to provide the educational opportunities we have been."

MTEF is a nonprofit that works closely with the school district but is not overseen by it.

"We exist to be a benefit to the school district," said Doumaux. "I think most school districts have education foundations. How they operate and how they're funded is probably different. But they're kind of like a school district's best-kept secrets. We want to increase the awareness of who we are."

MTEF passes along the funds it raises to administrators, teachers and now even students through grants that involve an application process.

During the 2022-23 school year, MTEF awarded 23 grants for a total of $128,000 of educational enrichment. Now in its 30th year, the foundation has awarded a total of $1.7 million in grants.

"There are great things happening in our school district," said Doumaux. "The foundation is so happy to help make those things happen. I think the district provides a lot of great education opportunities for students. It's a very supportive community. We have educators who care. It's a district that people love being a part of."

Since its founding in the early 1990s, MTEF has positively impacted the young lives of thousands of Manheim Township residents.

"(MTEF) has definitely grown and evolved over the years, in terms of its budget," said Doumaux. "The relationship with the school district has grown. The organization has found lots of different ways to generate funds beyond the donations. It's kind of been an exploration."

For more information about the Manheim Township Education Foundation, go to http://www.mtef.net.