7/8/2026
When elementary students of Alpena Public Schools return to their classrooms, they will benefit from a new math curriculum designed to strengthen learning and help build a solid foundation for future academic success. Thanks to years of thoughtful planning, community generosity, and prudent investment, funding for this important initiative is already in place.
Alpena Public Schools recently received a $100,000 grant from the Alpena Public Schools Endowment Fund, held at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM), to purchase and implement a new math curriculum for elementary school students throughout the district.
The grant reflects years of community generosity. Contributions from the school district, local businesses, and community members who believe in the future of Alpena students have been invested over time, creating a lasting source of support for Alpena Public Schools.
“Navigating the unpredictability and rigidity of the state budget presents a continuous challenge for our schools, which is why the support from these endowment funds is so critical. This isn’t just financial assistance; it is funding provided by those who know our district’s needs the best: our community. We are deeply grateful for our community’s ongoing generosity and for the Community Foundation's careful stewardship of these resources. Their partnership allows us to step outside of traditional budget constraints to address immediate opportunities and invest in special projects, like our new elementary math curriculum, that are truly and completely centered on the success of our students,” said David Rabbideau, Superintendent of Alpena Public Schools.
Alpena Public Schools holds several endowment funds with CFNEM that support a variety of district needs, extending the impact beyond the classroom. An additional $7,000 was distributed from the Alpena Public Schools Extracurricular Endowment Fund to help upgrade equipment in the Alpena High School weight room, benefiting student-athletes who use the facility throughout the year.
The Community Foundation also recently distributed $40,000 from the Granum Family Alpena Board of Education Fund to support the loan payment toward previous improvements to the Alpena High School primary athletic field. Over the past seven years, that fund has distributed $280,000 to support Alpena Public Schools.
“Endowment funds are one of the most powerful ways organizations can plan for the future,” said Christine Hitch, CFNEM Development & Marketing Director. “Charitable gifts are invested and grow over time, creating a permanent source of support. That means nonprofits like Alpena Public Schools can respond to opportunities and needs for years to come without relying solely on annual fundraising or budget cycles.”
An endowment works much like a savings account for an organization’s future. Gifts made to the fund are invested, and a portion of the earnings is distributed annually, or allowed to accumulate, to support the organization’s priorities while preserving the principal for future generations. This creates a lasting legacy of support and helps ensure resources are available when and where they are needed most.
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) is a charitable organization committed to providing people who care about the future of our area with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come. Focusing on both traditional causes and evolving needs, CFNEM makes grants to nonprofit agencies and institutions in the northeast portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan. Since 1974, the Foundation has continued to demonstrate commitment to its donors by implementing sound financial, investment and reporting practices. Gifts of all sizes from individuals, families, businesses, and agencies are invested in a balanced, well-managed portfolio to build endowments, enabling support for students and local community nonprofits now and forever.