Murray Education Foundation (MEF) is a non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education at Murray City School District.
Founded in 1981 and overseen by an executive director (Jeanne Habel) and board of directors, MEF oversees the prestigious Pinnacle awards program that recognizes a handful of teachers and personnel each year. But the organization also raises important funding through an annual golf tournament that supports teacher grants and partners with the Murray business community and beyond in a wide range of special projects.
Pinnacle Awards
Each year, the Murray community is invited to nominate seven individuals to receive a Pinnacle award, including five certified educators, one classified employee, and one volunteer. Nominations are taken in January and February and presented to a MEF Selection Committee.
The winners are announced shortly after nominations close in February, and a special dinner in their honor is scheduled in March. Those selected receive several prizes and tokens of recognition, along with an invitation to be honored by colleagues and students at the dinner.
You can go here to see who has received these awards since the it began in 2004.
Annual Golf Tournament/Teacher Grants
Held annually in August at Lynn F. Pett Murray Parkway Golf Course, MEF business partners are invited to play or sponsor the participants’ play. Proceeds from the MEF Golf Tournament go directly to Murray teachers through grants they apply for. These grants represent the innovation and vision our teachers have for their classrooms, funding a myriad of materials and lesson enhancements that make learning more engaging and fun for students.
Since its inception, the Tournament has raised $344,800 – 100% of which has gone to teacher grants. District teachers are invited to apply for up to $500 per year to be used in their classrooms for special projects and supplies. This year, MEF fielded close to 200 requests from teachers, and nearly all of those were granted thanks to the generous support of our golf participants and sponsors.
Click here to read more about how these grants are used.
Special Projects
Finally, MEF regularly coordinates additional special projects that directly impact students and educators. This includes the Kennecott Nature Center, Tools for Schools, sub-for Santas and giving trees, and a wide range of other donations – cash and in-kind – for specific projects and initiatives.
We’re especially proud of the Kennecott Nature Center, which has given Murray students a unique hands-on opportunity to explore nature right in their own community.
Construction of the Kennecott Nature Center was made possible through a generous initial donation from Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, the efforts of the Murray Education Foundation, and the assistance of many other community donors.
The 1600-square-foot classroom of the Kennecott Nature Center is nestled on the second-largest wetland site of the Jordan River at 5044 S. Lucky Clover Lane (approximately 5100 South and 800 West) in Murray.
You or Your Company Can Get Involved in MEF
We would love for others to join us. MEF accepts cash and in-kind donations throughout the year. But we need more volunteers who would like to participate in our programs and initiatives. To make a cash donation, go to the MEF website and click on the donation link.
If you are interested in volunteering, coordinating a giving tree, school supply drive, or some other type of donation through your business or community group, contact Doug Perry, MEF associate director, at 801-264-7400.
