The Chelsea Education Foundation (CEF) and the Educational Foundation of Dexter (EFD) are once again joining forces for the 2026 Rivalry Match, a spirited fundraising competition to see which community can raise the most for its education foundation.
The campaign kicked off on August 26 and will culminate at halftime of the Chelsea vs. Dexter varsity football game on Friday, September 25, at Jerry Niehaus Field in Chelsea. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Donate Now To Show Your Bulldog Pride for the 2026 Rivalry Match
Donations made to CEF directly support students and educators throughout the Chelsea School District, while donations made to EFD benefit Dexter Community Schools. Funds raised help finance teacher-authored grants, classroom resources, district-wide initiatives, and educational experiences. Although only one foundation will claim the fundraising trophy, every contribution helps students in both communities win.
Since its debut in 2019, the Rivalry Match has raised more than $292,000 for education in Chelsea and Dexter. After pausing in 2020, the campaign returned in 2021 and reached a record combined total of $97,751 in 2022. The competition remained close in 2025, when the two communities raised a combined $52,080. Dexter raised $27,005, while Chelsea raised $25,075. Dexter enters the 2026 campaign with three consecutive fundraising victories, while Chelsea is working to reclaim the title it held in 2021 and 2022.
Now in its seventh campaign, the Rivalry Match has become a treasured example of what neighboring communities can accomplish through a mixture of friendly competition, hometown pride, and shared purpose.
Community members, alumni, families, and local businesses are invited to participate by donating, sharing the campaign, and encouraging others to support their hometown foundation. Fundraising will continue through halftime on September 25.
Whether you cheer for the Bulldogs or the Dreadnaughts, every gift helps make this Rivalry Match a victory for education.
Donate to the Chelsea Education Foundation: chelseaeducationfoundation.org
Founded in 1990, Chelsea Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities throughout the Chelsea School District. CEF funds innovative teacher and administrator grants, classroom programs, district-wide initiatives, and college and trade school scholarships for Chelsea graduates. Since its founding, the foundation has collected more than $1.4 million in donations and helped support more than 59,000 students.
Donate to the Educational Foundation of Dexter: efdexter.org
Founded in 1984, the Educational Foundation of Dexter is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in Dexter Community Schools. EFD provides financial support for educational programs beyond the district’s operating budget, including teacher-authored grants, district-wide initiatives, and projects benefiting students and educators at every campus. Since 1985, EFD has awarded more than $1 million in support of Dexter students and schools.
