1. Q:
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION?
A: The Foundation’s purpose is to attract, house and distribute private gifts of cash and property to and for the exclusive use of the students of the Romulus Central School District.
2.
Q. WHO IS INVOLVED IN DIRECTING THE FOUNDATION?
A. It is managed and directed by a group of private citizens (Trustees) representing many aspects of the area’s business, cultural, civic, and educational leadership. The current Trustees are:
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J. Peter Gregoire (Chair) |
Lisa Kelsey |
Joann O'Connell |
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Annie Bachman (Treasurer) |
Mary McDonald (Vice Pres.) |
Celeste Poormon (Secretary) |
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James Delia |
W. Casey McDonald |
Meri Riegel |
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Sally VanRiper Eller |
Barbara Nearpass |
Mickie Sanders-Jauquet |
|
David Ettman |
Paul Nearpass |
Sheryl Zenzen |
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Sue Schrader (Grants Coord.) |
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Lisa Kelsey (Alumni Assoc.) |
Mike Midey (Ex-officio) |
Anne Morgan (Ex-officio) |
3.
Q: IS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATION
INVOLVED?
A: Yes. The superintendent (or designee) and a representative of the Board of Education sit as permanent ex-officio trustees. However, the vast majority of the trustees are not directly connected with the Romulus Central School District, except as citizens interested and committed to the betterment of public education.
4.
Q: WHAT TYPES OF THINGS DOES THE FOUNDATION FUND?
A: The trustees have selected six (6) primary areas of interest:
1. Technology
2. The Arts
3. General Scholastic Enrichment
4. Professional Development
5. Cultural Programming
6. Continuing Education
The Foundation, however, is not limited to the above areas and may pursue such things as significant capital projects in the future.
A: No. The Foundation’s mission is to supplement, augment and complement the basic school program by providing new educational opportunities that would not otherwise be available but through private resources.
A: Funds are raised from individuals, corporations, and other foundations. However, the methods used by the Foundation to attract private resources are not those commonly used by other school and school-related groups. Generally, the Foundation will be seeking substantial contributions for specific projects and programs. The Foundation also will seek individual donations from outside of the district in the form of individual contributions, Romulus High School alumni, major corporations, and regional and national foundations.
8. Q:
HOW WILL ALUMNI BE INVOLVED?
A: The Foundation is sponsoring the development of the Romulus High School Alumni Association. The Association will develop an all-class; all-year database, publish regular newsletters, hold alumni events and, generally, provide a vehicle for alumni to become re-associated with their home community and their former school. The Foundation will, in turn, provide the mechanism for alumni to share gifts of cash and property with the Romulus High School.
A: Yes. First, the Foundation is a non-profit corporation chartered by the State of New York and subject to guidelines covering fund raising activities. Second, this corporation is granted exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue code and subject to further reporting requirements and rules covering such things as annual distributions, jeopardy investments, conflicts of interest, restricted funds, etc.
A: Donations are “eligible for tax deduction” in most all cases. Some taxpayers file the Form 1040 short form and since 1986 have not been permitted to deduct charitable contributions. Generally, however, a tax deduction can be taken for up to 50% of an individual’s annual gross income.
A: Initially, the Foundation expects that it will expend most all of its funds to create positive educational impact on the District’s students. Eventually, the Foundation will attract major gifts from wills, trusts, real estate, life insurance, etc., and be able to create an endowment fund that will continuously provide resources to the schools without relying on current fund raising.
A: Yes. A ‘peer review’ group, composed of primarily teachers, assists the Foundation by reviewing grants and making recommendations to the Board of Trustees. In addition, most grant applications will come directly from teachers. Initially, a small grant program is being established to fund creative classroom and school projects of $200-$1,500. However, this does not limit teachers from suggesting major projects to the Foundation for their consideration.
A: Yes. The Foundation is not intended to replace parent/teacher groups, booster clubs, etc. and in some cases collaborative projects can be developed with the Foundation. Other similar school foundations around the country have also become “fiduciary agents” for other school groups. In other words, they have the capacity to become a “bank” for non-incorporated, non-exempt groups.
A: No. Under its state charter and federal exemption, the Foundation may only give funds to the Romulus School District.
A: Nothing! 100% of every donation given to RFEO goes directly into the grants. This is because our Trustees cover all operating costs with their donations of time and money.
A: Foundations in support of public education
are a growing phenomenon throughout the country. In New York and elsewhere, school budgets are being trimmed to
the bone, often eliminating the types of programming that encourage excellence
and prepare students adequately for the workplace of today.
Private resources can play an important role in providing new and important opportunities for learning and teaching. In addition, in areas such as technology, the private sector is in the best position to provide funds and in-kind gifts to help keep students on the cutting edge.
A: Yes. However, the Foundation provides the most protected vehicle for making donations. Its exempt status allows the maximum amount of individual tax deduction. Many businesses and other organizations will not give to public entities without this qualifying status. Private foundations are somewhat restricted in giving to public schools, but are not restricted from giving to other foundations. In addition, the Foundation provides a “focus for support” by clearly stating the needs to be addressed and focusing on the businesses, individuals, and foundations most likely to support such needs.