Our History: 20 Years of Supporting Schools
In 2024, the Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) is commemorating its 20th anniversary by looking back at the measurable—and immeasurable—ways we’ve impacted the Falls Church community.
Since 2004, we have distributed more than $1 million in grants to public school staff and students, clocked 100 kilometers during its annual Run for the Schools, awarded hundreds of scholarships to Meridian High School seniors, and supported countless families who’ve faced financial hardships.
“The FCEF lets us dream big...and then funds it!” says Dr. Peter Noonan, the Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) since 2017. “The Foundation partners with us to do amazing and innovative projects that we could only imagine given the tight resources we have as a school division.”
Since 2004, we have distributed more than $1 million in grants to public school staff and students, clocked 100 kilometers during its annual Run for the Schools, awarded hundreds of scholarships to Meridian High School seniors, and supported countless families who’ve faced financial hardships.
“The FCEF lets us dream big...and then funds it!” says Dr. Peter Noonan, the Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) since 2017. “The Foundation partners with us to do amazing and innovative projects that we could only imagine given the tight resources we have as a school division.”
The impact is seen and felt at all five schools in the school division. From playground equipment and ukuleles to art installations and “Ninja Warrior” obstacles, FCEF has provided more than $900,000 in Super Grant awards since 2015. This year, the Foundation also redoubled efforts to promote our Family Assistance Fund, which provides grocery gift cards, backpacks, clothing, and other necessities to more than 300 children in the community.
“We've seen projects that support our environmental sustainability goals, provisions for food and shelter, partnership projects that support teacher and staff morale, and more,” Dr. Noonan says. “FCEF is part of the specially blended ‘secret sauce’ that makes FCCPS the amazing school division it is.”
Back in 2004, after receiving startup funding from the City of Falls Church City Council, FCEF hired its first executive director, former Falls Church resident Donna Englander-Factor. Bob Young, owner of The Young Group, served as the first Board president.
“Launching the FCEF was an honor and responsibility that I never would have anticipated being a part of, let alone leading with the help of our committed board members and staff,” says Englander-Factor, who now works in fundraising for The Citadel. “We started small with a tiny teacher grants program and a few family scholarships until we built an organization that benefits every child in FCCPS.”
Each year, dedicated volunteers and staff members pull together events that have become beloved Little City traditions. On May 17, the Foundation will celebrate the community’s commitment to public education at our Annual Gala & Auction. Then, in the fall, hundreds of residents will swarm the streets during the 20th Run for the Schools and golfers will hit the links for the fourth annual Little City Scramble.
“We will never lose sight of the fact that it is our mission to change and improve lives within the public education system each and every day,” says Debbie Hiscott, former FCEF executive director (2013 to 2023) and current vice mayor of Falls Church.
Suzanne Hladky, FCEF’s new executive director, is shepherding in a new era for the Foundation by looking towards the future and learning from two decades of FCEF history. “It’s an honor to stand on the shoulders of these past leaders and continue the tradition of supporting our schools in so many ways,” Hladky says. “We are in an incredible position, as we work with all of our school-affiliated organizations, to quickly react to requests and needs of our schools. The future looks bright!”
“We've seen projects that support our environmental sustainability goals, provisions for food and shelter, partnership projects that support teacher and staff morale, and more,” Dr. Noonan says. “FCEF is part of the specially blended ‘secret sauce’ that makes FCCPS the amazing school division it is.”
Back in 2004, after receiving startup funding from the City of Falls Church City Council, FCEF hired its first executive director, former Falls Church resident Donna Englander-Factor. Bob Young, owner of The Young Group, served as the first Board president.
“Launching the FCEF was an honor and responsibility that I never would have anticipated being a part of, let alone leading with the help of our committed board members and staff,” says Englander-Factor, who now works in fundraising for The Citadel. “We started small with a tiny teacher grants program and a few family scholarships until we built an organization that benefits every child in FCCPS.”
Each year, dedicated volunteers and staff members pull together events that have become beloved Little City traditions. On May 17, the Foundation will celebrate the community’s commitment to public education at our Annual Gala & Auction. Then, in the fall, hundreds of residents will swarm the streets during the 20th Run for the Schools and golfers will hit the links for the fourth annual Little City Scramble.
“We will never lose sight of the fact that it is our mission to change and improve lives within the public education system each and every day,” says Debbie Hiscott, former FCEF executive director (2013 to 2023) and current vice mayor of Falls Church.
Suzanne Hladky, FCEF’s new executive director, is shepherding in a new era for the Foundation by looking towards the future and learning from two decades of FCEF history. “It’s an honor to stand on the shoulders of these past leaders and continue the tradition of supporting our schools in so many ways,” Hladky says. “We are in an incredible position, as we work with all of our school-affiliated organizations, to quickly react to requests and needs of our schools. The future looks bright!”