POTSDAM – A $100,000 contribution and a $50,000 challenge match have given funding for the Potsdam Educational Opportunities Fund (PEOF) a big boost in its first year.

The goal of PEOF is to provide PCS educators with resources to develop creative activities and opportunities that enrich the lives of students that wouldn’t otherwise be funded due to budget cuts.

Last spring, PEOF awarded $5,761 in competitive grants to Potsdam Central staff and students.

The Northern New York Community Foundation, which administers the funding, has announced a new $50,000 year-end challenge match. This is in addition to the $100,000 challenge previously made, which has already been successfully matched.

The generous couple providing the match, who left the area several years ago, choose to remain anonymous.

Clarkson University Vice-President for External Relations Kelly Chezum also recently presented PEOF with a $10,000 donation.

Funding is coming from continuing local public and corporate fundraising efforts, which are significantly enhanced through a match to the fund one-to-one up to $100,000 for program support and two dollars for each dollar raised for an endowment, or “sustaining” fund. The matching grant funding is continuing through the end of 2013.

Anyone interested in donating can send a check to NNY Community Foundation, 120 Washington St, Suite 400, Watertown, NY 13601, with PEOF mentioned in the memo line. Donations are tax-deductible for those who itemize.