Karen Thomas Memorial Fund

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Karen Thomas Memorial Fund

The Karen Thomas Memorial Fund supports literacy efforts at Ann Arbor elementary schools, particularly among disadvantaged students.

11/23/2025

As the season of giving approaches, please consider a gift to the Karen Thomas Fund.

For.17 years, the Karen Thomas Fund has supported reading and literacy through grants to elementary school teachers. The Karen Thomas Fund has no paid employees, does not spend anything on marketing or solicitations, and bears no other overhead expenses. When you give to this fund, every penny goes directly to classrooms where it supports literacy and reading projects for all students.

To give: Click on the link to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (see link below)
From the menu, select "Give Now"
Under "Giving Opportunities", find the "search Funds" box and enter "Karen Thomas Fund"
Enter the amount of your gift and method of payment.

Remember the motto of the Karen Thomas Fund: "The greatest gift is a passion for reading."

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is a philanthropic organization with a broad community focus: enriching the quality of life in Washtenaw…

11/17/2025

The Karen Thomas Fund is proud to announce five winning literacy grants for the 2025-26 school year. The winners are:

Evangeline Burgers, Katie Burrill and Katie Russell (King Elementary School): "Windows to the World: Expanding Nonfiction for Every Reader"

Elizabeth Clark )Ann Arbor STEAM): "Updating the Collection: Adding Current Nonfiction to Support Student Learning"

Jen Duman, Taylor Hudson, Khaii Mason, Stephanie McKinney, Brittany Pavlik and Phoenix Purman (Pittsfield Elementary): "Strengthening Fundamental Literacy Through Project Read Tools and UFLI Portal Integration"

Maggi Rohde (Pattengill Elementary): "Nonfiction Boost"

Christine Woelmer and Chelsea Froning (Allen Elementary): "Books, Bites and Belonging: Exploring and Sharing Culture through Language and Food"

Congratulations to all these dedicated teachers and their schools!

09/01/2025

Happy return to school everyone!

Teachers, as you settle your kids in for the year, remember that we will soon be accepting grant applications for the Karen Thomas Fund!

If you are a grade school teacher, and have an idea for improving literacy, start thinking about how you might implement it. The window will be opening in a few weeks!

Address

AAACF, 301 N. Main Street, Suite 300
Ann Arbor, MI
48130

Telephone

(734) 546-7115

Website

http://aaacf.org/

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Changing Lives Through Literacy -- The Karen Thomas Memorial Fund

The Karen Thomas Memorial Fund is dedicated to promoting literacy and a love of reading among elementary students in the Ann Arbor area, with an emphasis on the economically disadvantaged and other at-risk groups. The fund was established in 2009 to honor the memory of Karen Thomas, a nationally published writer well-known for her love of reading. Karen never missed an opportunity to volunteer for “March is Reading Month” -- even while undergoing chemotherapy.

The Karen Thomas Memorial Fund supports grants to teachers who seek funding for literacy-related projects. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded more than $60,000 to teachers ranging from pre-school through fifth grade. Every dollar raised by the Fund goes directly to the efforts of dedicated classroom teachers.

The Karen Thomas Memorial Fund is administered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.