Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford is a volunteer-driven organization committed to celebrating and building on excellence in education while increasing community involvement in our schools. More than 350 volunteers, contributors and sponsors work toward achieving that goal.

Some volunteers serve on the board of directors or plan and implement teacher recognition events, such as delivering apples to classroom teachers on Apple Day or making arrangements for the annual Golden Apple Awards Banquet. Other volunteers review classroom grant applications or play an active role in the teacher awards selection process, by observing and evaluating teachers in their classrooms or interviewing and selecting finalists for the Golden Apple Awards. Some are involved in Community Initiatives such as Public Engagement, Recognition and Standards, Educational Resources and Partnerships, and Teacher Recruitment and Retention. Still other volunteers play a major role in raising funds or seeking sponsors and in-kind donors to support the work of Golden Apple.

Golden Apple successfully carries out its important work because generous individual and corporate contributors believe that the Teacher Recognition Awards, Teacher Academy, Classroom Grants program, and Community Initiatives, promote and advance teaching excellence, which is key to improving schools and the lives of students. The Foundation appreciates the investment the community makes in Golden Apple.