Circle of Trusted Partners

We want to encourage you to join one of our membership levels listed…

Art therapy, music therapy, field trips, an inclusive playground, iPads, Chromebooks, an athletic field and track and so much more are all the direct result of individuals like you believing that their contribution can and does make a difference.

$5,000 Founder

$2,500 Steward

$1,000 Benefactor

$500 Partner 

$250 Supporter

$100 Friend

Membership is renewable annually.

Tribute Program

In any given year the Northshore Education Consortium (NEC) is the grateful recipient of numerous donations made in memory of or in honor of someone cherished. Through the Tribute Program, you can honor the memory of a loved one, recognize special occasions, wish someone a speedy recovery or even say thank you! At the same time, your recognition will provide invaluable resources to our very vulnerable population of students with special needs. These gifts are mentioned in our annual publications unless otherwise directed.

Matching Gifts

More for YOUR dollar!

Your company might have a Matching Gift program which may allow you to increase or even double the value of your gift to Friends of NEC! Check with your employer’s Human Resources office to determine if your company has a matching gift program.

The following is a partial list of matching gift companies. If you would like your company added to this list please contact the Development Office at 978-232-9755 ext. 1251

Matching Gift Companies

O’Grady Legacy Society

Including Friends of NEC in your will, is the simplest type of planned gift and one of the easiest to implement. A bequest may specify a dollar amount, a particular asset, or a percentage of your estate. A bequest to Friends of NEC can be as simple as a sentence or two in your will or living trust agreement.

We were so naïve at the time. We realized our home-based Early Intervention services were winding down and Mary was going to go off to school, away from Mom for hours each day. The thought of it seemed overwhelming at the time. When your child starts school, it’s both exciting and terrifying for all parents, but even more so for special needs parents like us. In our case, Mary has severe cerebral palsy with significant developmental delays; she cannot walk or talk, uses a gastronomy tube for nutrition and also has a tracheostomy. She requires total care 24/7. We did not understand how Mary was going to attend school.

As her 3rd birthday was looming, our school district arranged for us to tour the integrated preschool at the Kevin O’Grady School (KOG). We were so nervous as the day approached, but after spending the morning in the preschool, we felt an immediate sense of belonging. Relief swept over us. New dreams began to form. Mary would finally have peers. Mary would have a nurse in her classroom. She would no longer be “Mary in the wheelchair,” she would be “Mary with the pigtails and bows.” We had found our community. We are now in our 5th year at the KOG and we could not be happier with our school placement.

We have met so many teachers, nurses, therapists, and support staff so incredibly dedicated to serving an often invisible population of children with complicated medical problems. It is challenging work, but it’s done with such dedication and love, not to mention a smile. We drop our daughter off at the KOG every day and we could not be prouder or more fortunate to be a part of this amazing school. Mary loves the school’s colorful chameleon mascot, so as we say to her every morning at drop-off – Go Chameleons!

~ Shannon, NEC parent, Friends of NEC board member 

Mary’s story is just one of hundreds we could relate to you about the strong impact NEC has had on the lives of the young people we serve. Philanthropy is an essential part of this process and helps us bridge the gap between what the Consortium budget can provide and what is truly needed to enhance quality programs. All our programs are designed to ensure that every student has access to the educational tools and social emotional supports that help in achieving their full potential.

We are succeeding at NEC but could not continue to do so without the generosity, understanding, and caring of friends like you.

“Every student. Every day. No matter what it takes.”