You are cordially invited to DEF’s annual evening of dining, entertainment, & fundraising.

On October 7, 2026, Decatur Education Foundation put $40,144.00 into our community with the first cycle of our 2026-2027 Teacher and Staff grants.  DEF understands that our teachers and staff know how best to reach ALL our students in creative and inspiring ways, and we want to support as many of those ideas as possible.

Click the photo above for the list of recipients.

Our work only possible through generous donors.  Thank you to everyone who supports DEF!

Decatur Education has kicked off our annual Circle of Stars campaign.  The Circle of Stars is DEF’s core community of donors - individuals, families, and businesses - whose generosity lights the way for Decatur’s students. 

Decatur Education Foundation is proud to support this free, informative Speaker Series!  Join the Decatur Parents Network for our next Speaker Series featuring Dr. Merrill Norton, pharmacologist and addiction specialist.

Decatur Education Foundation is committed to making the Decatur community more suicide-safe.  To do this, DEF partners with City Schools of Decatur to utilize the LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program.  This program is an evidence-based suicide intervention model designed for “natural helpers” and clinicians, that teaches participants how to recognize and intervene when needed, and to develop a collaborative safety plan to keep someone safe and alive.

Whatever the source or the cause, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO REVERSE an overdose.

Learn what is happening locally to prevent overdose deaths in our community. Hear a local parent's and a DHS graduate's  perspective. 

In early July, the Decatur Education Foundation team, along with our dedicated volunteers, stuffed 700 backpacks with school supplies in preparation for CSD’s Back 2 School Bash!

Please join us at this free event at Decatur High School Learning Commons (Media Center) Thurs, Aug 27, 6-7:30pm. Light snacks available.
Register now at
https://qrco.de/SpeakerSeriesDecatur

Thanks to everyone who participated in the DEF 2026 Step Up for Teachers campaign.  This program allows members of the community to show appreciation for CSD teachers/staff and show pride in graduating seniors by having a yard sign in their honor. Tributes are shared on this wall which is searchable by teacher or family name and can be sorted by school. 

Thanks to the generous donors in our community, Decatur Education Foundation (DEF) awards college scholarships to graduating Decatur High School seniors and to CSD teachers seeking to further their own education.

Get your Mascots Of Decatur t-shirt while supplies last! Students from every CSD school submitted their original artwork for a chance to be featured on a t-shirt as a fundraiser for Zara’s Fund, DEF’s arts fund. Mascot t-shirts are available with a minimum $30 donation. Make your donation and include your tshirt sizes at  bit.ly/4s6U74n

DEF offers a wonderful opportunity to show your appreciation for CSD teachers/staff and show your pride in your graduating seniors by having a yard sign in their honor. Proceeds from DEF’s Step Up Campaign fund Teacher and Student Innovation Grants in all CSD Schools. Let’s cover Decatur with support for our teachers, staff and students! stepupforteachers.com