The Murray Education Foundation (MEF) recently capped off a "one-in-a-million" banner year, marked by an unprecedented surge in community support and record-breaking financial milestones. The 2025-2026 "Connections" report chronicles a year of massive collective impact, headlined by more than $700,000 in cash donations and hundreds of thousands of dollars in vital in-kind contributions. From the historic success of the global Light the World Giving Machines to a signature golf tournament that has now surpassed $600,000 in lifetime funding, the year was defined by a community-wide effort to ensure every student in the Murray City School District has a champion. These resources weren't just figures on a ledger; they translated into nearly $80,000 in classroom grants, fully funded sports programs for students with disabilities, and heartwarming holiday support for over 600 families in need.

The $700,000 Heartbeat

The headline figure is staggering: MEF received more than $700,000 in cash donations this year. But Executive Director Doug Perry insists these aren't just digits on a page. "They represent thousands of 'moments of connection' where a student felt seen, a teacher felt supported, and a family felt the embrace of the Murray community," Perry noted in his opening message.

These funds, supplemented by hundreds of thousands of dollars in in-kind gifts, fueled a year of unprecedented local impact:

• The Angel Tree Milestone: The "Love Murray: Heart for the Holidays" campaign reached an inspiring milestone, providing full support for over 600 students and families facing economic hardship.

• Giving Machines History: In a historic first, MEF was the first education foundation invited to participate in the global "Light the World" Giving Machines, raising $372,400 for local needs like doctor visits and winter coats.

• A "Village" Response: From a young boy donating his allowance to a former recipient "completing the circle" by sponsoring a new tag, the stories of generosity were profound.

Funding the "Lightbulb Moments"

The report goes inside the classroom to show exactly how donor dollars are spent. The Classroom Grants program awarded $79,827 to 130 teachers this past year. These grants are designed to solve specific "pain points" in education:

• Breaking Barriers: When rising transportation costs threatened to cancel vital off-site learning, MEF funded "busing and bridges," ensuring students could still visit the Living Planet Aquarium and Swaner Ecological Center regardless of their family's financial status.

• Tactile Learning: Funding provided high-impact tools such as unifix cubes for math, 3D printing filament for student-led businesses, and dissection kits for biology—resources that shift learning from passive to active.

• Sensory Support: To help students struggling with emotional regulation and sensory processing, MEF provided weighted items and "calm down" materials, transforming classrooms into safer, more focused environments.

A Legacy of Inclusion

One of the most energetic highlights of the year was the second annual Pickleball Tournament. The high-energy event raised enough funds to fully cover Murray High School’s Unified Sports program for an entire year. This program, which pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities, has earned Murray national acclaim as an ESPN Honor Roll school.

Looking Forward

Beyond the physical supplies and financial milestones, MEF is reaching more people than ever. Their Murray Matters newsletter now reaches 7,000 subscribers with a 51% average open rate, and a new website launch has streamlined how the community connects with the foundation’s mission.

As the report concludes, the sentiment is clear: every Murray child deserves a champion. This year, the Murray Education Foundation proved that an entire city is willing to step into that role.

For more information or to read the full 2025-2026 Connections Report, visit the Murray Education Foundation’s new digital home at Murray Education Foundation.org.