MARBLEHEAD — Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools is pleased to announce the opening of the 2024-25 grant season, beginning Oct. 1 and running through Jan. 17. Approved grants will be implemented during the 2025-26 school year. Friends also recently welcomed a new board member.

The year 2025 will mark Friends’ 35th anniversary of service to the Marblehead schools. Over that time, the board has raised more than $2 million and impacted more than 15,000 students. To continue growing that number, Friends has implemented several updates to the grant process this year, most notably a new Google application system and an earlier start to an extended grant season. The streamlined form allows for easier data input and the ability to save, edit, and complete the application in more than one sitting.

The earlier start adds six weeks to the grant season, giving grant writers additional time to identify needs in the schools earlier in the year and complete applications, while allowing the Friends board ample time to thoroughly review and consider each request.

Friends encourages any school personnel, parents, students, community members, professionals, businesses, and community or school organizations with innovative and creative proposals that directly impact the curriculum in Marblehead schools to consider applying for a grant.

Detailed information on how to apply and what makes for a successful grant is available on the Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools website. The grant-writing process is straightforward and streamlined, and members of the board, as well as veteran grant writers in the community, are available to answer any questions.

From last season’s pool of applications, Friends funded 22 educational enrichment initiatives, which are currently being implemented in the 2024-25 school year. These grants target a broad range of academic disciplines, interests, and student ages, while also addressing universal issues such as sustainability, conservation, and inclusion. Several of this year’s grants enhance teaching strategies to maximize student engagement and content accessibility. Others integrate evolving technology to support endeavors like coding and the arts.

Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools is an independent, community-based organization that raises funds to enhance the quality of education in all K-12 Marblehead public schools, including Marblehead Community Charter Public School. Friends, an all-volunteer board, supports the schools by funding innovative, self-sustaining grants that continue to impact each new class of students.

In September, Friends welcomed Haley Scimone to its board. Scimone brings a strong commitment to the town, with her family owning local businesses, and an enthusiasm for enriching the educational experience of Marblehead students. The board is thrilled to welcome her.