Clifton Education Foundation

Grant applications will be available on the Clifton Education Foundation Website from June 1 for payment after July 1 through
November 13, 2026.

The Clifton Education Foundation grants are open to District staff - including teachers, administrators, and other personnel, as well as student groups/clubs, and parent organizations such as H&SA and PTO’s.

Projects that align with the Clifton Education Foundation's mission and enhance student learning will be considered for fundraising support. Examples include:

● Math and Science initiatives
● World Language or Multicultural enrichment programs
● Environmental studies and sustainability projects
● Visual and Performing Arts projects (Art, Theater, Music)
● Technology integration and innovation
● Problem Solving, critical thinking, and STEM activities.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee from our Board of Trustees, which will evaluate the proposal on its originality and creativity, as well as an explanation of how,through its goals and objectives, the project will benefit Clifton students. Each grant applicant will receive notice of the status of their application. If there are specific timelines within the application, every effort will be made to notify the applicant of the status of the grant in order to meet those timelines.

In order to be considered for a grant, applicants must complete the application form, provide a short summary of the project including goals and objectives, and indicate how this project will benefit the students and the school community. Additionally, an Amazon Wish List or an itemized budget must be included with your grant submission. The Clifton Education Foundation maintains a tax-exempt Business Account with Amazon. As such, special business prices are available to grant applicants. Amazon Wish List directions are referenced below. **Please note that items such as personal electronic equipment, trophies, furniture, food, various incentive items, as well as Field Trips and items that can be purchased through the district budgeting process will not be approved.

The applicant must receive the approval signature of either the Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Supervisor, or Faculty Advisor. In some circumstances, the Foundation may seek an additional signature.

Grant applicants may apply in two ways:

Option 1 - Print and Mail: Download the application form, print it, complete it, obtain
the required signatures (applicant and principal/supervisor, etc), and mail the completed
form and budget to Clifton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015.

Option 2 - Electronic Submission:

Download the application form TO YOUR COMPUTER, fill in all fields, including your
email address. IMPORTANT: Save OR rename the file to your COMPUTER as GRANT TITLE + YOUR NAME
Example: SensoryWalkwayJaneDoe.pdf
2. Email the form to your principal/supervisor for their review and digital/typed signature in the space provided. Ask them to email it back to you once approved.
3. Add your digital/typed signature in the space provided, save the form, attach and
email to: cliftonef1998@gmail.com AND cefsecy@gmail.com

Grant applications can be accessed on the Clifton Education Foundation Website or in the link below:

Grant Application

Provide an itemized budget using ONE of the following methods:

Option 1: Amazon Wish List (Recommended)

How to create your list:

1. Go to Amazon.com and log in
2. Click "Account & Lists" at the top
3. Click "Create a List"
4. Name it: "Your Name - CEF Grant"
5. Make sure it's set to "Public"
6. Add all items you need
7. Click "Share" and copy the link
8. Paste the link below
9. Your Amazon Wish List link:
[____________________________________]

Option 2: List Individual Item Links (Please note: The form will auto-calculate the Final Costs & Totals)

Item 1: [Description] [Link: ______________] Price $___ Qty: ____ Cost: $_____
Item 2: [Description] [Link: ______________] Price $___ Qty: ____ Cost: $_____
Item 3: [Description] [Link: ______________] Price $___ Qty: ____ Cost: $_____
Total Cost: $__________

Recipients of a CEF grant are entrusted with funds to carry out the specific goals and
objectives outlined in their approved application. These funds are subject to
regulations, oversight, and audit requirements.
Grant recipients may not profit personally from awarded funds. Any personal or financial connection to a vendor involved in the project must be fully disclosed in the application, including any ownership interest in a vendor associated with the project. All grant funds must be used exclusively for their intended purpose. Recipients are responsible for maintaining accurate financial records. Receipts must be provided for any payment made to an individual. In order to showcase the student impact of funded projects, a project summary, digital photos, and/or video clips are required to be submitted at the conclusion of the project or by the first week in June 2027 for promotion on our social media platform. Please send via email to:
cefcommdirector@gmail.com.

The Clifton Education Foundation is pleased to announce they have become the administrators for the Daniel Listmeier Memorial Scholarships. The scholarships, available to two students in the Clifton High School ASPIRE program, honor Mr. Listmeier’s commitment to the students the program serves.

Danny, a former custodian in the Clifton High School Annex, was deeply invested in mentoring at-risk youth, providing guidance, friendship, and often financial support. The scholarships, established and funded by his parents, Lani and Jerry Pollastro, after Danny’s untimely death, honor his kind and generous spirit, leaving behind a legacy not soon forgotten.

Danny’s family is deeply rooted in our school community. His mother Lani and aunt, Cathy Burke were long-time teachers in the district where his cousin Erin Burke-Saba continues to serve. Danny followed in his dad Jerry’s footsteps, who was also a beloved former custodian, as well as a mason and glazier.

We thank the Pollastro family for the honor of allowing the CEF to help keep Danny’s commitment to the students he loved alive in Clifton schools. Those wishing to contribute to the scholarships may do so by sending a check payable to Clifton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015. Please add a note that your donation should support the scholarship. All donations are tax-deductible.

• Scholarship Requirements

Jennifer Lucas was a treasured member of the Clifton Public Schools community, serving the students she adored for nearly 30 years. She began her career in Clifton in 1995 as an elementary music teacher, providing music education to students in Schools 9, 11 and 12. Sharing her musical gifts, Ms. Lucas inspired countless students, teaching them to embrace the many ways the beauty of music cultivates talents, expands imagination, serves to connect to others, and fills the soul.
 
Rising to the role of Assistant Principal of the School 12 Annex and eventually becoming the beloved Principal of School 2 in 2010, Ms. Lucas left an indelible mark on the entire Clifton Public Schools community. Despite leaving the classroom, she never abandoned her love of music, often sharing her gift as a pianist during school assemblies and gatherings.
 
Ms. Lucas has been described as a “second parent” by many, offering compassion, warmth, kindness, and dedication to not only students and colleagues who benefited from her leadership and kind heart, but also parents who sought her guidance and wisdom, effortlessly given, making recipients feel seen, respected and a valuable part of the school community. It has been said that she was “born to be an elementary school principal.” She often contributed her leadership beyond the confines of the city, most notably as the leader of the annual Safety Patrol trip to Washington, DC, undertaking the daunting task of ensuring the safety of the children in her charge. Parents and guardians had a sense of security in knowing their most precious gifts were in Ms. Lucas’s capable hands. Jennifer Lucas’s presence will be felt throughout the district whenever music fills the air, reminding all whose lives she touched of her enduring legacy that will reverberate for generations to come.
 
The Clifton Education Foundation is honored to be the administrators of the Jennifer Lucas Memorial Scholarships, established by the Lucas family, awarding two individual scholarships to deserving Clifton High School seniors pursuing a career in Education or Music.
 
Those wishing to contribute to the scholarships may do so by sending a check payable to Clifton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015. Please include your email address and add a note that your donation should support the Lucas scholarship. All donations are tax deductible.

• Scholarship Requirements

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) paramedics play a critical role in our healthcare system, providing urgent medical care and saving lives in emergencies. This scholarship is specifically designed for CHS seniors, who are aspiring EMTs or Paramedics planning to attend Bergen Community College. Through this scholarship, we are hoping to support the next generation of EMTs and paramedics, and improve emergency medical care in Clifton, as well as neighboring communities.

My brother, Marcin Bednarz, was driven by a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. He dedicated his life to serving others as a paramedic, starting his journey as an EMT volunteer at the age of 16. He touched countless lives working as an EMT and Paramedic at Valley Hospital and Englewood Health EMS. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the Wallington FD. His commitment to helping those in need and his unwavering compassion were hallmarks of his character, reflecting a profound selflessness that inspired all who knew him. Tragically, in April 2024, Marcin’s life was cut short at the tender age of 22. Marcin's legacy endures through the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his dedication to the paramedic profession. Through this scholarship, we are honoring his memory and service to others. His story stands as a testament to the power of selfless service and the enduring difference one person can make in the world.

By alleviating some of the financial pressures, we hope to enable more talented and passionate individuals to enter this vital field, ultimately enhancing the quality of emergency medical services in our area. The family of Marcin is grateful to the Clifton Education Foundation for administering these scholarships and keeping the memory of Marcin’s remarkable and inspiring life alive.

Those wishing to contribute to the scholarships may do so by sending a check payable to Clifton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 2071, Clifton, NJ 07015. Please include your email address and add a note that your donation should support the Bednarz scholarship. All donations are tax deductible.

With gratitude,

Maggie Wojtylo

Principal, School 2

Learn More about this Scholarship