(Chelsea Update would like to thank Suzanne Morrison for the information in this story.)
The excitement is building as two powerhouse nonprofit educational foundations—the Chelsea Education Foundation (CEF) and the Educational Foundation of Dexter (EFD)—prepare for the 2025 Rivalry Match.
This treasured tradition is more than just a football game, it’s a community-driven effort to raise crucial funds for educational grants that directly benefit local students and schools.
Fundraising began Aug. 19, 2025, in anticipation of an epic showdown at the Chelsea vs. Dexter football game on Sept. 26 at Al Ritt Stadium in Dexter. The stakes are high, the rivalry is fierce, and the impact is real. This is your chance to make a tangible difference for our students.
Since its debut in 2019, when it raised an impressive $10,000, the Rivalry Match has become a hallmark of community spirit and generosity. After a brief hiatus in 2020, the event roared back in 2021 with $45,000 raised, followed by a record-breaking $98,000 in 2022. In 2023, the event generated $41,000, and in 2024, $46,244 was raised for local educational programs.
To date, the Rivalry Match has generated an extraordinary $240,234 in support of teacher-authored grants, and district-wide initiatives. EFD claimed victory in 2019, 2023, and 2024, while Chelsea led the fundraising in 2021 and 2022.
“This year, we’re ready for round six,” says Nicole Rouech, president of the Educational Foundation of Dexter. “We’re excited to continue this tradition and see how much more we can raise for our schools. No matter which foundation comes out on top, our students are always the true winners.”
Amy Forehand, president of the Chelsea Education Foundation, said “The Rivalry Match has become such an essential part of our fundraising efforts. It’s all about coming together as a community to provide the resources our students and educators need to succeed.”
This event isn’t just about competition, it’s about collaboration, unity, and making a lasting impact. The partnership between CEF and EFD is a shining example of how neighboring communities can come together to support education and empower the next generation.
Join us in fueling the rivalry, rallying behind our schools, and making 2025 the biggest year yet.
For more information on how you can get involved and support these incredible foundations, visit: www.chelseaeducationfoundation.org,
Let’s make this year’s Rivalry Match one for the history books.
About Chelsea Education Foundation:
Chelsea Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides funding for a broad spectrum of educational activities benefiting the students of the Chelsea School District.
Since 1990, $1.4 million in donations have been collected to support grants and scholarships throughout the district. Chelsea Education Foundation’s mission is to enhance the district’s educational experiences by financing projects beyond the District’s resources and by providing scholarships to district graduates.
About the Education Foundation of Dexter:
Since 1984, the Educational Foundation of Dexter has awarded over $1.3 million in teacher/district grants that support students from Pre-K to 12th Grade in the Dexter Community Schools. Some of the educational experiences funded by EFD grants include SNAP Silent Disco for DHS Homecoming, STEM coding robots for DEEC/Wylie, and numerous field
trips including U-M Natural History Museum for 4rd grade, Charles H. Wright Museum for 5th grade, DIA for 6th grade. EFD funded innovative educational equipment in Dexter classrooms for the DHS Art Department, DHS Woodshop, Graph-X Department, Creekside/Mill Creek
Makerspaces, and many more.
For more information visit the EFD website, www.efdexter.org.
