A Family-Friendly Fundraiser Supporting Needham Students and Teachers

History

Starting in 1992, the Needham Education Foundation held an annual Spelling Bee to raise funds to support innovative and enriching educational programs that benefit all Needham public school students. In 2021, the NEF transitioned to a Trivia Bee to better connect with Needham families, as well as local businesses, community groups, and schools. The event continues to engage the Needham community in family-friendly fun for a good cause.

Trivia Bee – How it Works

Working in teams of up to 6 participants, you will test your knowledge in a wide range of categories – including Arts & Literature, Entertainment, Geography, History, Needham Facts, Pop Culture, Science, and Sports! The multiple choice questions are geared to a wide audience, from our youngest to our oldest participants. Multi-age teams are recommended! Your team captain will enter the team’s responses on a mobile device using polling software. There is a time limit for each response, but speed is not a factor in your score. If there is a tie, a tie-breaker question will be used.

The evening is hosted by Mike “Sarge” Riley, a Needham native and veteran Boston sports radio personality. Gather a team of family, friends, classmates, or co-workers, and come join us for a lively evening of trivia. “Bee” creative and join the fun!

Additional Details

• Students: If you would like to participate on one of your school’s official teams, please contact your NEF School Rep; they coordinate the school teams. We ask that all students 12-years old and younger have at least one adult on their team.
• Get creative: There is a prize for the best team name, and we encourage team t-shirts or costumes!
• Spectators: Due to space constraints in the NHS Cafeteria, room for spectators is limited, though parents of participating students may attend. If you are not participating on a team, we encourage you to watch the event on the Needham Channel, which will be broadcast multiple times in March and April.
• Questions: Please contact Sarah Winig, our Administrative Director, at swinig@nefneedham.org.

The 2026 Trivia Bee is sold out!

All participants should have received a welcome email with event details. If you haven’t received this information, please contact your team captain or reach out to the NEF Admin, Sarah Winig, at swinig@nefneedham.org.

Thank You to Our Generous 2026 Event Sponsors!

Refreshments and Balloons donated by Roche Bros.
Flowers donated by Volante Farms
Cupcakes donated by Treat Cupcake Bar
Brownies donated by Tiffany’s Brownies & Treats
Design donated by Emerge Design Group
Posters donated by FlashPrint

Advertising Sponsors

Babson College, Beacon Bank, Chapters on Chestnut, Condon Realty, Cross Coastal Advisors, Dedham Savings, Engaging Minds, Needham Pediatrics, Needham Women’s Club, Provider Group, Temple Beth Shalom, The Bulfinch Group, The Village Club

School Team Sponsors

Broadmeadow PTC, Chapters on Chestnut, Condon Realty, Copley Motorcars, Eliot PTC, High Rock/Pollard PTC, Mitchell PTC, Needham High School PTC, Needham Women’s Club, Newman PTC, Sunita Williams PTC

Auction & Raffle Donors

A New Leaf, Beauty Muse, BETR Neuropsych, Bin Ends, Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, Cappella, Conrad’s Casual Dining, Cook Needham, Cookie Monstah, Davis Hairdressing, Elements Massage, Engaging Minds, French Press Bakery & Cafe, Hazel’s Bakery, Hearth Pizzeria, Hungry Coyote, Learning Express, Little Spoon, Needham Bowlaway, Needham House of Pizza, Needham Police Working Dogs Foundation, New England Patriots, Proud Mary Gifts, Pura Vida, Reveler Beverage Company, Science Lab Parties, Sheraton Needham, The Common Room, Tin Rabbit, Tom Sargent, Trader Joe’s, Volante Farms

Thank you to the Needham Channel for recording and broadcasting the Trivia Bee.