National Conference
Save the Date
6th Annual NSFA National Conference
April 13 – 15, 2011
Kansas City, Missouri
We will be posting more information soon!
September 1, 2010
Can the Jargon You Use in the Office Impact Your Mission?
Elizabeth Ortiz of the Chronicle of Philanthropy thinks so. She writes:
I was talking with my colleagues today about the "tyranny of language" in our sector.
What does that mean?
In a way, it's about good intentions gone horribly awry. Think about it—our addiction to high ideals and even loftier aspirations results in grant proposals and mission statements and bold promises that burden even our most creative and charismatic leaders with performance obligations that are impossible to meet. The result: burnout and a sense of failure that is frequently unwarranted.
Read more here.
August 15, 2010
Parents go all out to aid schools -
But some doubt wisdom of fund-raising for fundamentals
Time was, parents would hold bake sales or sell refreshments at school football games to raise money for local schools. But with public schools under financial duress, private fund-raising groups are launching far more ambitious campaigns.
It’s not uncommon now to auction off big-ticket items at fancy galas and send out massive direct-mail appeals. And the money raised, traditionally earmarked for extra items outside the school budget, is increasingly put toward the basics — such as staff salaries.
Read more.
July 26, 2010
Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation announces $100,000 donation in fundraising campaign
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation got a big boost in its fundraising efforts today, just as it prepares to wrap up its four-month campaign to drum up an additional $1 million cash for Ann Arbor Public Schools programs.
While it's unlikely the foundation will meet its goal, it announced a $100,000 donation from the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop today and said it's working on a $50,000 matching grant. In total, the campaign has raised $300,000 and will wrap up July 31.
Read More.
July 25, 2010
NSFA Has a New Address
Please contact us at:
National School Foundation Association
2130 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
July 20, 2010
SchoolFoundations.org Updates
There have been a number of updates to the 'Members Area' of our site, including easier navigation and an improved Discussion Board where you can connect with other NSFA members to share information. Right now on the discussion board we want to know how you are using social media to help your foundation.
While you are exploring the Members Area, don't forget to check out some of our great Corporate Partnership deals which will help your foundation save money on premium products and services. If you aren't a member yet, click here for more details.
If you have any suggestions regarding the NSFA website, we would like to hear them. To contact us, please click here.
July 9, 2010
Turning to Alumni for your Fundraising
By Judy Taylor
Executive Director, Decatur Public Schools Foundation
Does your foundation need an extra boost in its fundraising efforts? Are board members at a loss for exciting ideas that bring in necessary dollars?
By holding an annual event that draws graduates back to your community, you can raise the extra funds you desire. In fact, you can market that event as a “signature event” that your alumni and community look forward to each year.
The Decatur, Illinois Public Schools Foundation has been doing just that for eight years. By coordinating an annual alumni event, the foundation accomplishes numerous benefits: creating additional awareness about the foundation, involving community businesses through sponsorships, engaging district graduates and reaching potential donors.
According to Judy Taylor, executive director of the Foundation, three areas of critical to the success of their event, which raises between $60,000 and $80,000 each year:
- Recruiting the right committee members outside the current board of directors. “You need a big committee that creates a buzz within the community” says Taylor. “And the right chairperson makes or breaks the event.”
- Getting local media excited about the event. Securing media sponsorships early is crucial, says Taylor. “They want to support education, and this is a great way to do it,” she said.
- Highlight what your foundation does for students. “The event has to be connected to the importance of supporting the foundation,” says Taylor.
Ultimately, the event serves to connect with current and future donors by sharing success stories of its graduates and educating the community on needs of the district. “It has to be a feel-good event that features the positives of supporting students.”
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