School Foundation Building School Foundation Building
The Rural School and Community Trust’s Center for Midwestern Initiatives recognizes the vital role a thriving school foundation can play in the life of a rural community. In partnership with a community foundation or as a stand-alone institution, school foundations provide much needed funding support, engage community members and relocated alumni with the school, and promote meaningful partnerships.
Illinois Community Foundation Builds Capabilities of Rural School Foundations
- Last Updated on February 10, 2012
- Written by CMI Staff
The Galesburg Community Foundation’s nonprofit governance certification program is an ideal example of how a community foundation can reach out to and support local school foundations and nonprofit organizations in a way that ultimately benefits everyone: the foundation, the school and its community.
The Galesburg Community Foundation was established in 2004 in order to support the efforts of local people and organizations to foster and promote and healthy community. In 2010, the Galesburg Community Foundation held a series of seminars on nonprofit governance that were made available to nonprofit organizations in the area. Its goals were to train nonprofit board members and management in six key areas:
- Maintaining board level strategic focus
- Establishing and maintaining governance committees
- Understanding legal and financial responsibilities
- Policies and procedures for effective board operation
- Resource development and image building
- Understanding how to work with senior executives and management teams
The program is designed to achieve four primary goals:
- Prepare current and future board members to serve with distinction on nonprofit boards.
- Prepare senior executives to serve with distinction on nonprofit management teams.
- Strengthen governance practices in the nonprofit sector.
- Build inter-organization partnerships that improve the health of your community.
Both the ROWVA Public School Foundation and the Monmouth Roseville Education Foundation attended this nonprofit governance seminar series.
Read more: Illinois Community Foundation Builds Capabilities of Rural School Foundations
Hermann, Missouri Couple Establishes School Foundation Fund for Autism
- Last Updated on January 31, 2012
- Written by Community Foundation of the Ozarks
It’s common for grandparents to financially help their children and grandchildren when needs arise. Sam and Missy Frink of Hermann, Mo., are taking the help a step farther and establishing a fund that will help autistic children through the Gasconade County R-I School District, to be administered by the Community Foundation of the Hermann Area, Inc.
Sam and Missy Frink present a $10,000 gift to the Community Foundation of the Hermann Area at a recent luncheon. At right is Dr. Chris Neale, superintendent of Gasconade County R-1 Schools and chair of the CFHA board.
Sam and Missy have a grandchild, Wyatt, who resides in Texas and is autistic. He has very supportive parents and is in a good school district, so there isn’t much more they can do to help. So they decided to help locally. The Frinks are establishing Wyatt’s Fund, which is designated to support the Gasconade County R-1 School District. The fund will provide financial assistance for services for children with autism spectrum and/or sensory integration disorders.
In addition to the $10,000 gift to establish the fund, the Frinks have also put up a $5,000 1-to-1 matching grant for the fund, for a total of $20,000.
Read more: Hermann, Missouri Couple Establishes School Foundation Fund for Autism
Billy Coyle Embodies RSP Mission
- Last Updated on January 27, 2012
- Written by CMI Staff
Some teachers just don’t know when to quit. Conway’s Billy Coyle is one of those teachers, and the students of this Dallas County district are all the better for it. A science teacher for 44 years, Coyle has touched the lives of many students both in and outside of the classroom. One former student credits Coyle with teaching him and others on how to be mentors as adults. “It is like virus growth,” he said, “but a good virus!”
Chris Berger, Conway Superintendent, pictured with Billy Coyle. Another former student remembers with emotion how Coyle opened up his home to him when his family was having difficulties. The stories are endless, but Conway Superintendent Chris Berger believes Billy Coyle’s impact goes far beyond his roles of teacher, mentor, and compassionate friend. “Coyle has always been civic-minded,” Berger reflected before adding with a laugh. “He even served as Mayor.”
Considering all that Billy Coyle has done, it should not be surprising that his “giving” has extended into more formal philanthropy. Inspired by his personal commitment to encouraging, challenging, and inspiring students, Coyle made a substantial gift to establish the Billy Coyle Leadership Fund through the Rural Schools Partnership (RSP) as an endowment dedicated to students with an interest in science, science education, and law enforcement. Not only will this fund assist scores of Conway students in the years to come, but it became an anchor fund to establish the new Conway School Foundation.
“Coyle has given more than $100,000 to support the school and students,” Berger remarked, “but moving our school community into true foundation building may ultimately be his most important legacy.”