Celebrating 2025 and Anticipating 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, the Moon Area Education Foundation (MAEF) reflects on a year filled with meaningful accomplishments and community engagement. The ongoing support from donors, volunteers, and partners has allowed MAEF to continue its mission of enhancing educational opportunities within the Moon Area School District. The success of signature events like the Trivia Night Mixer and the Moonlit 5K, alongside the impact of innovative classroom grants and STEAM initiatives, highlights the Foundation’s dedication to fostering excellence in education.

The Moon Area Education Foundation (MAEF), established in 2018 as a 501c3 public charity, is committed to advancing innovative educational programs, activities, and projects that benefit students, staff, and the broader Moon Area School District (MASD) community. Driven by a passionate and dedicated volunteer Board, MAEF builds partnerships designed to promote positive change and uphold the highest standards of educational excellence.

MAEF’s primary objectives center around supporting annual innovative classroom grants, awarding scholarships to graduating students, financing STEAM programs, encouraging lifetime fitness and wellness, and enhancing outdoor classroom experiences. Each year, MAEF hosts two signature events, the Trivia Night Mixer in February and the Moonlit 5K in May. The enthusiastic backing from community members and business partners has ensured the ongoing success of these initiatives.

Innovation within the classroom is a core focus of MAEF’s work. In the current year, MAEF provided funding for 12 innovative classroom grant requests submitted by district teachers, directing $8,825 toward enriching educational experiences for students across MASD. These grants empower educators to bring creative and impactful projects to life, many of which would not be possible through traditional funding avenues.

Through MAEF’s support of STEAM grants, all K-12 students can now learn coding and design concepts using durable, non-consumable materials that can be reused for multiple years, amplifying the impact of these programs. Beyond mastering math and science, students also develop essential skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity. These lifelong abilities equip students for success in any career path or life situation.

Since its founding in 2018, the Moon Area Education Foundation (MAEF) has made a significant difference within the Moon Area School District.

• Through the ongoing generosity of our supporters and the success of our programs, MAEF has contributed an impressive $107,000 back to the district to date. This remarkable impact has directly benefited all 4,079 students, 500 staff members, and the wider educational community.

Our foundation’s lifetime fitness and wellness initiatives have also reached beyond the classroom.

• In 2025, the MAEF organized a Cereal Drive that resulted in the donation of 364 boxes of cereal to the Coraopolis Food Pantry, supporting 400 local families.
  

• Additionally, in partnership with Moon Walmart, MAEF assisted with the Angel Tree project, providing health and wellness items, art supplies, and pajamas to spread holiday cheer to 232 Moon Area students.

Looking forward to 2026, MAEF aims to build on its successes by expanding support for innovative projects and creating more opportunities for students and educators. The Foundation remains focused on educational excellence through collaboration and growth.

Upcoming Events in 2026

• MAEF’s Trivia Night returns February 22, offering a fun community fundraiser.

  
  

• Plans are also underway for a new golf event, with more details coming soon; both events will help sustain MAEF’s mission.

Next year, we will continue providing scholarships to students and grants to teachers, ensuring ongoing support for impactful learning in the Moon Area School District.

As the year ends, the Moon Area Education Foundation invites you to make a meaningful, year-end, tax-deductible contribution. Our mission is driven by a dedicated, all-volunteer board, which allows us to keep administrative costs to a minimum. As a result, 90% of every dollar donated goes directly toward our programs and initiatives that benefit students and educators throughout the Moon Area School District.

Your support, no matter the amount, creates a direct and lasting impact on educational quality within our community. Every gift enables us to continue enriching students’ learning experiences and providing essential resources to teachers, ensuring that all students thrive.

Donating is simple and convenient—just visit moonaef.org to contribute online.

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Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the students in the Moon Area School District.

With Tiger Pride,

The Moon Area Education Foundation Board

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