Dysart Education Foundation

DEF is composed of volunteers who are passionate about supporting education in our community.  We are a nonprofit organization committed to raising funds for the purpose of enriching student learning in the Dysart Unified School District and supporting continued education for high school graduates.

More Information

Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) was established in 1985 by employees and community members of the Dysart Unified School District. The Dysart Education Foundation was established for the purpose of raising, receiving, and disbursing funds to enrich the education and activities of students, teachers, and staff in the Dysart Unified School District. DEF is completely run by volunteers which ensures that every donation goes directly to funding scholarships and grants. Our board is comprised of retired teachers, professors, administrators, community leaders, and parents. DEF cares about our community and is dedicated to supporting our future leaders through education!

Are you passionate about supporting student education?  Do you have time, skills, or community connections that you’d like to use to help further the mission of the Dysart Education Foundation?  If so, please contact us today at general@defweb.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Currently the Dysart Education Foundation supports students through providing scholarships that high school graduates from the Dysart Unified School District can use toward higher education tuition costs.  Also, each year teachers are selected through a competitive grant process to receive mini-grants for innovative classroom learning activities.  Programs like this can only be sustained through the generous contributions of the community we serve.

Funding

Individual and Business Donations
The Dysart Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and, as such, donations to the organization may be tax deductible. The Foundation relies on contributions from the Dysart community for its funding and volunteer assistance.
United Way Campaign

United Way donations can be designated specifically for the Dysart Education Foundation. In 2019, DEF raised over $6,500 through the United Way.

Amazon Smile
DEF is registered as a non-profit on Amazon Smile. Register today and select Dysart Education Foundation on the website below. When you purchase items from Amazon Smile, a small percentage of your total will be donated to DEF helping us support students and teachers in the Dysart School District. Thank you for your support!
Fry's Community Rewards

DEF is registered as a non-profit with Fry’s Food Stores. Log in to your Fry’s account, select Community Rewards then select Dysart Education Foundation or one of the high school alumni groups to support a scholarship for that school. Once you link your Card, all you have to do is shop at Fry’s and swipe your Shopper’s Card. Click here for more information about Fry’s Community Rewards.

  • Dysart Education Foundation
  • Dysart High School Alumni
  • Dysart Education Foundation – Shadow Ridge HS Alum
  • Dysart Education Foundation – Valley Vista HS Alum
  • Dysart Education Foundation – Willow Canyon HS Alum
Dysart Education Foundation

1 week ago

Dysart Education Foundation
$90,500 DEF Scholarships NOW available through 15 March 2023!Dysart Education Foundation Student Scholarships now OPEN!The Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) supports learning beyond a student’s K-12 experience. Each graduating senior may submit one application between Jan 1 – 15 March 2023 to be eligible for multiple scholarships from the Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) administered by the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) www.AZFoundation.orgThis year the DEF with local donors will be awarding 19 students with a total of $90,500 in scholarship funds. Students graduating from the four high schools in the Dysart School District including Sundown Alternative High School are encouraged to apply.Donor awards favor the two-year community colleges, trade school or university tuition using the website, www.AZFoundation.org or the link below:https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=azcfscholarThe recipients will be notified via email by March 31, 2023. The student recipients and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend the Fifth Annual Dysart Education Foundation Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 to accept their scholarships.Student scholarship recipients are responsible for keeping ACF informed of all current information concerning home address, emails, class schedules, GPA, and transcripts. A separate link will be provided via email from DEF to students in December 2023, May 2024, and December 2024 to update the organization and its scholarship donors each semester. Failure to provide required documents may result in the loss of the scholarship.2023 Sponsors:DEF/Subaru Share the LoveSouthwest Foodservice ExcellenceDysart High School AlumniThe Grand OpportunityDr. Gail Pletnick Education AwardTyrus Timbrooks Memorial Scholarship (Dysart HS Students Only)Visit the DEF website for more information: www.defweb.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Dysart Education Foundation

1 week ago

Dysart Education Foundation
Dysart Education Foundation Student Scholarships now OPEN!The Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) supports learning beyond a student’s K-12 experience. Each graduating senior may submit one application between Jan 1 – 15 March 2023 to be eligible for multiple scholarships from the Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) administered by the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) www.AZFoundation.orgThis year the DEF with local donors will be awarding 19 students with a total of $90,500 in scholarship funds. Students graduating from the four high schools in the Dysart School District including Sundown Alternative High School are encouraged to apply.Donor awards favor the two-year community colleges, trade school or university tuition using the website, www.AZFoundation.org or the link below:https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=azcfscholarThe recipients will be notified via email by March 31, 2023. The student recipients and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend the Fifth Annual Dysart Education Foundation Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 to accept their scholarships.Student scholarship recipients are responsible for keeping ACF informed of all current information concerning home address, emails, class schedules, GPA, and transcripts. A separate link will be provided via email from DEF to students in December 2023, May 2024, and December 2024 to update the organization and its scholarship donors each semester. Failure to provide required documents may result in the loss of the scholarship.2023 Sponsors:DEF/Subaru Share the LoveSouthwest Foodservice ExcellenceDysart High School AlumniThe Grand OpportunityDr. Gail Pletnick Education AwardTyrus Timbrooks Memorial Scholarship (Dysart HS Students Only)Visit the DEF website for more information: www.defweb.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Dysart Education Foundation

3 weeks ago

Dysart Education Foundation
So excited to meet up with Ms. Nicolette Olsen, 3rd Grade teacher at Thompson Ranch to award her with a teacher mini grant! DEF Director Lisa Fowler and Mr. Kerr were there to congratulate her today! ... See MoreSee Less

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2022-2023 Dysart Education Foundation Board Members

Kristi Richards

President

Dr. Jim Dean

Interim Superintendent/Director

Christine Williams

Director

Mary Rosales

Director

Beth Simek

Vice President

Donya Davis-Seay

Director

Holly Bowen

Director

Victor LaRosa

Director

Michelle Watt

Secretary

Bill Pupo

Director

Lisa Fowler

Director

Monica Dorcey

Treasurer

Ken Hicks

Director

Marilee Timbrooks

Director

Contribute to Our Mission

Large or small, your tax-deductible contribution to the Dysart Education Foundation directly affects the quality education programs. Make a donation using Paypal. A donation verification letter will be sent to the address you enter when making your donation. This letter may take up to 30 days to arrive. If you leave an email address we can email you the letter.




If choosing to donate by mail, please make sure to include all the following information when you send in your donation…

  • Your name
  • Your address, city, state and zip
  • Your phone number
  • Your tax-deductible contribution amount

Please mail to:

Dysart Education Foundation
P.O. Box 1898
Surprise, Arizona 85378-1898

Thank you for your contribution!

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the members of the Dysart Education Foundation Board using the link above.  Thank you!