Schools receive $75,000 from foundation

By the end of the school year, the Sisters Schools Foundation will have given approximately $75,000 to support classroom and co-curricular activities at Sisters schools. These projects would not have been funded otherwise.

Approximately $50,000 was distributed last October, and $25,000 is being allocated this spring. To comply with foundation bylaws, $25,000 has also been placed in the organization's endowment fund.

The Sisters Schools Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, was formed in 1996 at a time when budget cuts and growing enrollment had created a need for the school district to have outside funding. The foundation was instituted with the goal of developing and maintaining a positive fund-raising relationship with Sisters businesses and residents.

Sisters Schools Foundation board chairman Darren Layne told The Nugget that the foundation was set up to channel fund-raising activities so that merchants and residents were not repeatedly approached during the year to contribute monies to the schools. Through the years the foundation has maintained this policy.

The foundation's general fund is supported through donations and fund-raisers. The Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series is the organization's primary fund-raiser (see related article, page 27). According to Layne, about $50,000 was distributed to Sisters schools this year from proceeds raised through the 2005-06 Starry Nights series.

The foundation's by-laws require that 25 percent of all funds received from general donations and fund-raisers be placed aside in the foundation's endowment fund. The foundation is striving toward a $1,000,000 endowment. "At that point, the foundation board will have the option of distributing the earnings every year from the endowment," Layne said. The current balance is nearly $200,000.

In addition to general fund donations, the foundation receives targeted donations earmarked to fund specific projects or activities.

An example of a targeted donation is last year's gift from the Cyrus family to refurbish the lawns and install an irrigation system at the elementary school. Other groups including the Sisters Soccer Club, the Sisters Little League, Sisters Landscaping and the Sisters Schools Foundation itself joined in and contributed funds to this project.

"All those donations were targeted towards that project, and that project was completed. The school district didn't have the funds to redo that field," Layne said.

A goal of the foundation is to coordinate different groups and private donors to bring a project to realization. The elementary school lawn project shows "how our mission statement actually works...," Layne said.

Bob Macauley's annual Outlaw Open golf tournament is another example of a targeted fund-raiser. The annual event raises funds for the high school's football program and other designated projects.

Another function of the foundation is to serve as a conduit for the establishment of memorial scholarship funds to which individuals and business may donate. The Bill and Jan Reed Memorial Scholarship Fund is an example of this type of fund. Community members can additionally set up scholarship programs.

"We have several people who have set those up with very generous donations," Layne said.

The foundation does not conduct an annual fund-raising drive, although a marketing campaign is presently being organized to establish community awareness about the foundation.

"Residents of the town are a little sensitive to doing a general fund drive," Layne said. Instead, the foundation attempts to add value any time people are asked for support. Starry Nights Concert Series serves as an example of this philosophy. Layne reflects, "Yes, businesses are very generous with their sponsorship, but they are getting something in return."

At the beginning of each school year, teachers, administrators and project coordinators apply for funding from the foundation. According to Layne, about 50 requests are normally received each year; however, the foundation only has the ability to fund between one-fourth and one-third of the total dollar amount requested.

The foundation looks at specific criteria in determining which projects and activities it will fund. First, the number of students who are affected is considered. Then, the foundation attempts to provide an equal distribution of funds among the three schools weighted by each school's enrollment.

"We don't want to be disproportionately heavy to the high school or to the elementary school," Layne said.

The foundation also looks at the longevity of how the funds will be used. Last year funding was provided for sound equipment at one of the schools.

"That's something that will last for years to come," Layne said.

Finally, the foundation desires to distribute equally amongst the various programs, including art, music, math, science, technology and the like. Funds are even used for the purchase of textbooks.

For more information contact the school district at 549-8521 or call Layne at 549-4755.