FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
What is the Foundation?
We are a nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for all students by funding innovative academic projects not covered by the school district.
Our Mission: To strive for and maintain innovative educational excellence by employing private resources to supplement traditional classroom funding.
How does it work?
We raise money from the community, from government and corporate grants. In turn, educators, parents, students and administrators team up to apply for this grant money to fund a certain academic-focused project. (Applications can be found at www.svfoundation.net)
The Foundation has a Grants Committee that evaluates whether the project affects a good number of students and is creative and innovative. This committee also communicates with the district to ensure the project is not already being covered by traditional district funding.
What are some of the projects you’ve funded?
We’ve funded nearly 70 small projects to date with nearly $70,000 in donations from the community. From large art mosaics in the elementary school that tie in to the curriculum; to “Study of Bones” kits for Middle School Science classes; to hosting a Holocaust survivor to speak to HS students.
The Foundation focuses on 7 Funds:
*The Technology and Learning Fund
*The Arts and Education Fund
*The Cultural Enrichment Fund
*The Scholastic Enhancement Fund
*The Health and Wellness Fun
*The Entrepreneurship Fund
*The Professional Development Fund
Who is part of the Foundation?
We are a group of 30 community members, business leaders and parents who volunteer our time to ensure SVSD maintains educational excellence.
How long have you been around?
Fall 2011 marks the start of our fourth year. We were founded in 2007. Raised funds in our first Charter Donor Campaign in 2008 and began supporting innovative academic projects that same year.
How are you structured?
We have an Executive Board made up of 13 voting members -- 4 Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary), 4 Committee Chairs, 3 Members at Large, the District Superintendent and a School Board Member.
We have ten steering committees made up of non-voting members: Communications, Grants, Fundraising (Environmental Center Funding, Grants Writing, Annual Campaign, Teacher Tribute, Special Events), Environmental Center Implementation, Strategic Development and Organizational Development.
We are expanding this year so more people can have the chance to take smaller pieces of projects to work on.
How are you connected to the School District?
Our decisions are made independently from the school district, but all funding for a public school must be approved by the Board of Education. We submit our list of recommended grants and the BOE approves them in full. During the evaluation process of each grant, the district is consulted to ensure the Foundation is funding items the district is not able to cover.
The foundation is an autonomous, nonprofit corporation recognized as tax-exempt and is separate and distinct from the Board of Education.
What’s your financial status?
Generous contributors have donated about $50,000 each year since our inception, which has allowed us to build a cash reserve of more than $100,000.
Annually, we allocate about $40,000 to small grants. In addition, the Foundation has allocated $50,000 over two years to help launch an environmental education center on school district property. The Foundation has also allocated $120,000 over three years for mid-size projects that impact the entire student body of each school (elementary, middle and high).
The full three-year strategic objective can be found on our website www.svfoundation.net.
Taxes are so high, why does the district need more money to educate the students?
Many have asked why a community with the resources and taxes of Saucon Valley needs this additional funding. In fact, as a small school district with limited industry, and with dwindling financial help from the government, it is nearly impossible for the district to fund both the infrastructure necessary to maintain the quality of our schools and simultaneously provide the extras that will ensure our district is offering a superior education to our children.
What about this Environmental Center I’ve been hearing about?
The Environmental Center is our first large project! It is a great opportunity for the students and the whole community. Teams of Foundation trustees are out raising $360,000 in corporate funds for this now and by spring we hope to break ground and give everyone in the community the chance to be a permanent part of the Center by helping prepare and maintain the site and by buying a “brick” or a “tree” etc.
Teams of community members, students and teachers worked for a year (2010-2011) with a landscape architecture firm designing a thoughtful master plan for this project!
Do you need more help? How do I learn more?
We would love for you to participate! Please complete a Volunteer Interest Form, found on the website, or contact Kim.Kemmerer@svpanthers.org to request a “Green Informational Packet” be mailed to you. Let us know what interests you. We need folks to volunteer on projects both small and large and folks to join us as a trustee with monthly committee obligations. There’s always room for more people!
The Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation
Planting tomorrow’s innovative ideas today.