Naugatuck Education Foundation Has New Leader

A local man who comes from a family of educators and has three children in the borough school system is now heading the Naugatuck Education Foundation.

Matt Fortney, 37, is a financial advisor for the Barnum Financial Group in Shelton. He was recently chosen by group members to take the helm from Joan Doback, who has stepped down as NEF chair after helping to found the organization three years ago. Doback, who started with group with fellow dedicated parents, will continue to be involved in NEF. 

While he said Doback is a great leader, Fortney said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to lead what he calls a wonderful organization.

“We help empower teachers to do more for their students without being a financial burden to the town,” he said.

The organization raises money to fund educational initiatives and projects that teachers do not have money for in their respective school budgets. This past school year, NEF gave out $10,000, the most it has given in three years, to educators for unique projects: to start a school newspaper, for an iPad on which students create and edit short films based upon books they’ve read, to create a greenhouse, to run arts and theater programs.

NEF does not fund field trips or other run-of-the-mill school-related activities. The group reviews several applications and chooses the best. 

“If we feel that they are worthy projects, we make sure we find a way to fund them,” he said.

Private donors fund a significant portion of what NEF gives out. The group also receives money from its annual Alums and Chums social event and from its St. Paddy’s Day 5K road race run in conjunction with the Old Corner Café.

There are about 15 people involved with NEF, plus others who help with various fundraising projects, Fortney said.

Education is in Fortney's blood and his heart. Both of his parents are retired educators in Long Island, where he grew up. He is also married to an educator, Valarie (Hau) Fortney, a Naugatuck native who went through the Naugatuck school system before heading to Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury. Her mother, Mary Ann Hau, is retired from teaching at Naugatuck public schools. She taught elementary students at the now-defunct Prospect Street School and at Hop Brook School. 

Matt Fortney is also a member of the local Rotary Club, a board member at the Naugatuck YMCA and a local youth sports coach. He and his wife have three children – two at Western Elementary School and one at Hillside Intermediate School.

Many members of NEF are involved in several other charitable organizations in Naugatuck. The group says it is always welcoming new volunteers. Check the NEF website for more information about how to get involved. Follow the group on Facebook here.

“The money we raise directly impacts kids, so that’s a nice feeling,” Fortney said. “We fund projects that teachers come to us with – these are all extra things that the teachers want to do for their kids, many times in their spare time on a volunteer basis. They are going above and beyond for their students; it’s pretty cool.”