Over twenty years ago, our community made a commitment to bring resources together to ensure that every Decatur child had what they needed to grow and learn. This simple yet profound idea gave rise to the Decatur Education Foundation, which has impacted generations of Decatur youth.

In 2009, I was hired to lead the foundation as its first foundation-supported executive director. For 14 years now, I have experienced first-hand the power of a community to come together to create opportunities for ALL of our kids.

Together, we have challenged the notion of what an education foundation can be, tackling hard issues like mental health, racial equity, food security and learning differences. We have empowered teachers and administrators to reach beyond budget boundaries to find creative solutions for all types of learners. We have honored not just the academic superstars but the character superstars – by providing close to a million dollars in scholarships.

Most importantly, we have collectively said that every child in Decatur is “our” child, and that the impact we can have as a community is immeasurable.

With all of this in my heart, I’m sharing the news that I will step down as executive director at the end of DEF’s fiscal year, June 30. From now until then, I will work with the foundation’s talented and thoughtful board of directors to shepherd the organization through a planned leadership transition.

I am excited to take what I have learned leading DEF to help other organizations expand their impact. In the meantime, I hope to see and engage with many of you in the coming months as we look to create even more possibilities for our kids through our work, and to listen and learn from them.

I’m grateful to have worked with so many outstanding teachers, supporters, children and teens. What we have built together makes me hopeful for the future of our world.

With gratitude,

Gail

Announcement from the Board of Directors

With both sadness and gratitude, the Board of Directors shares the news that Gail Rothman will step down as our Executive Director at the close of the fiscal year, June 30, 2023.

In the coming weeks, we will form a search committee to recruit DEF’s next executive director to build on the legacy Gail has created in her 14-year tenure; and she and her staff will work to create a smooth and seamless transition in leadership.

DEF hired Gail in 2009 as our first paid staff person, and since then, she has worked with our community to build an organization that has had a tremendous impact on Decatur and its youth. Under Gail’s leadership, DEF has:

• Developed programs to close the opportunity gap among students based on family income;
• Prioritized behavioral health Initiatives, including the creation of the Decatur Student Center at Decatur High and the extension of the center to Beacon Hill Middle School;
• Grown the scholarship program from five to 21 awards, with annual scholarship awards totaling $114,000 in 2022;
• Helped incubate community organizations and programs, including Decatur Makers, REAP-Reading is Essential for All People, the Farm-to-School initiative and the CSD elementary school Orchestra program;
• Grown foundation assets to over $2 million and an annual operating budget of nearly $1 million;
• Shaped and led a pandemic emergency response to support families across Decatur;
• Strengthened community efforts to address racial inequities by helping to fund the Equity Department at City Schools of Decatur and funding anti-racism initiatives;
• Implemented systems and processes to prepare the foundation for future growth; and
• Forged and grown partnerships across the community to solve the challenges facing our kids.

All of these accomplishments reflect Gail’s tireless efforts in building a network of supporters and partners. She has collaborated with City Schools of Decatur, Decatur Housing Authority and the City of Decatur, as well as with school PTAs, local businesses and parents. Throughout these efforts, she has been a tenacious advocate for Decatur’s youth, working to create new opportunities for children and teens, fostering creativity among teachers and championing equity for all.

The impact Gail has made on the community is both durable and cherished, and we look forward to sustaining the foundation’s momentum with new leadership this summer.

The DEF Board of Directors

Maria Pinkelton, Chair