The Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation (CFEF) has released its grant slate for 2026, as well as the recipients of CFEF’s annual Cooper Prize. The Adult and Student Boards of the CFEF leverage funds raised through donations, investments, and events to support grant requests from Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools (CFEVS) staff, teachers, and students. The grants for the year were finalized during the group’s May meeting. In the 2025-2026 year, CFEF reached a critical milestone as the foundation’s total assets surpassed $1million for the first time, enabling the CFEF to maintain and increase its support for years to come.
“The Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs and experiences that expand and enhance the opportunities that are available to the students, staff and faculty of the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District,” said CFEF Chair Ashley Maier. “As stewards of the generous support that the foundation receives from the community, we focus our funding on initiatives across the district that most closely align with our mission and the school’s strategic plan.”
This year’s Impact Grants, CFEF funding designated for innovative, cutting-edge educational programs and resources that are not fully covered by the school district's regular budget, support:
• Tiger Press—Requested by Intervention Specialist Amanda Heintzelman, this grant supports the purchase of an xTool DTF (Direct-to-Film) printer to create Perk Press, a student-run apparel studio. The printer will be used to design and produce custom apparel that unites and engages students. The creation of Tiger Perk Press is supported by the CFEF Adult Board and Student Board in the amount of $10,727 ($2,400 from the Student Board and $8,327 from the Adult Board).
• Taking Flight: Elevating STEM Education with CoDrone EDU—Requested by District Instructional Technology Coach Molly Klodor, the initiative integrates CoDrone EDU drones into Innovation/STEM classes for 4th-8th grade learners and encourages students to develop essential skills such as systematic troubleshooting, critical thinking, logistics, maintenance, teamwork, and the ability to solve engineering problems. The grant, in the amount of $7,718, will provide two 12-pack CoDrone EDU kits (one for each of the Intermediate School and the Middle School) and four charging stations.
• Restorative Practices in Chagrin Falls Schools—The grant, submiited by the CFEVS administration, supports the school district’s wellness coaches, middle school counselor, and high school assistant principal with training in support of positive cultural changes at the school. The initiative will be supported in the amount of $4,800.
The Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation Student Board designated their grant funds for the following:
• The Katy Brent Memorial Bench—An outdoor bench in memory of teacher Katy Brent will be placed at the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School through funding supplied by multiple support organizations across the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District. The Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation Student Board will provide $1,665.
• Chagrin Falls Intermediate School (CFIS) Occupational/Physical Therapy Space Revamp—Requested by CFIS Principal Curtis Howell, the funding will support the update of the school’s Occupational and Physical Therapy space to better serve the diverse physical, sensory, and wellness needs of students. The funding for this initiative will be split between CFEF and the Chagrin Falls PTO with CFEF providing $3,000.
• Wonder Media Student Animation and Enrichment—Requested by the CFEVS administration, this proposed partnership with Wonder Media Animation will expand student enrichment opportunities through digital storytelling and character-based animation. This initiative, aligned with the district’s strategic driver to “Connect, Create, and Challenge,” will integrate Wonder Meida platforms into classroom and enrichment settings. The Student Board is funding the platform’s technology package at $3,650.
• Guidance & PAWS “Live to Give”—This initiative was developed and executed by the CFEVS Guidance staff and Chagrin Falls PAWS (People Always Willing to Serve), a volunteer student organization for grades 4-6. Funding was requested for materials to make fleece blankets and supply kits. This initiative was supported by the CFEF Student Board in the amount of $799.75.
The Cooper Prize Awards
The CFEF also awards recipients of the Charlotte Cooper Prize. This unique grant celebrates the life and can-do spirit of the late Charlotte Cooper, a beloved aunt and dedicated nurse whose love for family and community inspired all. Created by her family, the Cooper Prize is bestowed annually on a Chagrin Falls High School student/students in grades 9-11 who are pursuing innovative educational experiences or projects outside of the classroom. This year’s recipients of the Charlotte Cooper Prize are:
• Jack Rubin, a rising sophomore and golf team member, is creating an adaptive mini-golf program for kids with disabilities. The Cooper Prize will fund the full amount of this endeavor at $750.
• Abigail Gold, a rising sophomore, girl scout, and member of the music program at Chagrin Falls, is working in partnership with the Chagrin Music Association to expand opportunities for school band members to perform in the community. The Cooper Prize will fund the project up to $750.
New Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation Board Members and Board Officers
The following community members served as 2025-2026 CFEF Board Members: Julie Conrad, Leah Eickhoff, Brady Hively, Craig Lyndall, Karl Maersch, Ashley Maier, Kate McCreary, Mike Radomsky, Phil Rankin, Kortney Scully, Kelly Stepnowsky, and Antoanela Vaccaro.
During the May meeting, the CFEF voted in new members for the 2026–2027 year: Dell Duncan, Anna Desatnik, Michelle Rugh, and Lynn Turchan. Additionally, terms were renewed for the 2026-2027 service year by Board Members Julie Conrad, Craig Lyndall, Ashley Maier, and Antoanela Vaccaro. Returning Board Members for 2026-2027 also include: Leah Eickhoff, Brady Hively, Kate McCreary, Mike Radomsky, Phil Rankin, Kortney Scully, and Kelly Stepnowsky.
The Board also approved the slate of officers for the 2026-2027 year:
Ashley Maier, Chair
Craig Lyndall, Vice Chair
Brady Hively, Treasurer
Kate McCreary, Secretary
Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation
The Chagrin Falls Educational Foundation supports educational programs and experiences that enrich the opportunities available to the students attending and the faculty of the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District. More information about the organization can be found at chagrinfallseducationalfoundation.org.