Since 1992 the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence has been providing private financial support to Winchester's children in order to foster innovation and excellence in teaching and learning. Run by a volunteer board of Winchester residents, the Foundation raises money from individuals and businesses through a direct appeal, as well as community programs such as the annual Town Spelling Bee. These funds are channeled back to the schools through the WFEE grant programs for teachers, staff, and administrators, which are awarded twice a year. The WFEE's goal is to inspire Winchester's teachers, students, and community to help make Winchester's great public schools even better. The teachers provide the innovative ideas; the Foundation provides the financial support to transform those ideas into concrete projects that benefit all students.