Our History
The 21st century Fund for HVRHS was the vision of former HVRHS Principal, Jack Mahoney, who traveled across the U.S. visiting exemplary high schools to discover what differentiated them from other schools.
Jack learned that the better schools were backed by educational enrichment funds which sponsored programs and opportunities Beyond the Classroom and school budget. He then sought out like-minded community members to help found The Fund; their original motto was Excellence for Everyone.
Since 1994, the 21st Century Fund for HVRHS has raised and distributed close to a million dollars to the HVRHS community. We have:
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- provided seed money for the different STEM teams
- funded multiple trips to other countries and within the United States
- financed dozens of individual student programs in diversity, leadership, career building
- sponsored professional development opportunities for teachers
- Our largest project was the creation of the Mahoney-Hewat Science and Technology Center (STC), a building dedicated to hands-on-learning.
- The 21st Century Fund is proud to have been one of the first educational funds under the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) umbrella.
- In 2014, The Fund became an independent 501 (c) 3 in 2014 but maintains close ties to BTCF which managea our endowment.
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Below are some of our historical highlights:
2023 Was the first year the 21st Century Fund awarded more than $33,000 in grants to teachers, students and teams, the highest amount ever.
2019 The 21st Century Fund celebrated 25 years of supporting the HVRHS community. To mark the anniversary a new logo and the “Beyond the Classroom” slogan was adopted. The Fund also received a special citation from the State of CT for its service presented to us by State Representative Maria Horn.
2015 The Estate of Barbara Bornemann gave The Fund a generous gift for pursuits in the humanities. The donation brought our endowment to about $400,000.
2014 The 21st Century Fund became an independent non-profit with an endowment at Berkshire Taconic.
2012 The Mahoney-Hewat Science and Technology Center (STC) was turned over to HVRHS. The Fund had raised half a million dollars and inspired over 100 volunteers to make it happen.
2000 The 21st Century Fund began awarding $10,000 in grants per year.
1998 The Fund restarted awarding regular grants in addition to its fundraising for the STC.
1996 The Board of Directors undertook the conversion of the Clarke B. Wood Agricultural Building into Mahoney-Hewat Science and Technology Center (STC.)
1995 The Fund began making grants to individual students and faculty members so they could expand their educational enrichment experiences Beyond the Classroom.
1994 After polling the HVRHS faculty, the 21st Century Fund Board launched Career Exploration, a program designed to help students find local career opportunities through job shadowing and internships.
Questions or Comments?
Contact us at nmartin@hvrhs.org
21st Century Fund for HVRHS
PO Box 132, Falls Village, CT 06031
The 21st Century Fund is an independent 501(C)3. We receive no state or federal funding.