Click here to see programs funded. In 2005, The Burlington Schools Foundation received a $10,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor. This grant enabled the Burlington Schools Foundation to continue its mission to expand educational opportunities for Burlington school children. The Burlington Schools Foundation is delighted to announce that we have met this challenge grant. We would be delighted to accept new challenge grants!

David S. Offensend Fund

The David S. Offensend fund is a memorial to David S. Offensend.

The fund will be used by the Burlington School Foundation for general purposes.

Mr. Offensend was born on September 20, 1912 in West Haven, Vermont. He graduated from Fair Haven High School in 1932 and from Castleton State Normal School in 1935. He taught in rural schools in Granville, Hancock and Rochester, Vermont. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University in 1940.

David Offensend married Dorothy Orr in 1941. He received a Masters of Education degree from the University of Vermont in 1945. He taught for 17 years at Edmunds Junior High School in Burlington. In 1958, the Offensends helped open Lyman Hunt Junior High School, with David teaching biology and Dorothy serving as the school’s first librarian. In 1976, the Lyman Hunt library was named in Dorothy’s honor. David became Principal of Lyman Hunt in 1962. He subsequently served as Curriculum Coordinator for the Burlington School district for two years. He was appointed Superintendent of Schools for Burlington in 1972. and retired in 1974. In 1975, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by the University of Vermont.

David S. Offensend died on January 30, 2006.

Stephen W. Weibust Music & Dance Fund

The Stephen W. Weibust Music & Dance Fund is a memorial to Stephen W. Weibust. The fund will be used by the Burlington Schools Foundation for the fine and performing arts.

Mr. Weibust was born in Hartford, Connecticut on August 2, 1950. He received a Bachelor’s degree in 1972 and a Master of Education degree in 1974 from the University of New Hampshire. He earned a second Master of Education from the University of Vermont in 1975.

Stephen Weibust retired in 2005 after 30 years of teaching choral music to thouands of students at Edmunds Middle School in Burlington. He was the director of En Masse, a student choral and dance performance group that performed in Burlington. He traveled with En Masse around the northeastern United States for performances at nursing homes, hospitals and military bases. Mr. Weibust was a principal trumpet player in many local theatre productions and was a member of the Vermont Jazz Ensemble for almost 30 years.

Stephen W. Weibust died on November 9, 2006.

Ellie B. McNamara Memorial Library Fund

The Ellie B. McNamara Memorial Library is located at C.P Smith School in Burlington. The library, also known as "Ellie’s Garden," is dedicated to the memory of Ellie B. McNamara, the former principal of C. P. Smith School.

Interest earned on the fund will be withdrawn annually to purchase books and materials for "Ellie’s Garden," as determined by the professional library staff.

For more information on how you can help, click here.

"Save the Babysitter" Fund

The Foundation manages the “Save the Babysitter” endowment created to fund opportunities for children in the fine and performing arts.