Press Release: Foundation reaches for every school, every child
Published in White Salmon Valley School District Bear News , August 2006
Education Foundation to Benefit Entire District
By Ronda Crumpacker, President - WSVEF
The stage has been set for our school district to benefit from a new funding source for generations to come. The White Salmon Valley Education Foundation (WSVEF), a nonprofit organization, has been created to enhance the quality of public education within our community by creating a stable source of supplemental funding for education enhancement.
Vision
The Foundation strives to: inspire our children to embrace lifelong learning; empower students and faculty to strive for excellence; motivate our community to continue investing in K-12 public education; and strengthen a community network of mentors and volunteers.
Mission
The Foundation's mission is straightforward, but potentially far reaching: By consistently investing in the entire district, rather than a single school or program, the Foundation strives to reach every child enrolled in every school in our district over time.
Objectives
The Foundation will work in partnership with White Salmon Valley Schools to create a world-class educational environment by working in targeted areas to achieve the following objectives: e nriching school curriculum; supporting staff development, and creating education, business and community partnerships.
The Foundation's target areas:
• Math, Science & Technology
• Reading & Language Arts
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies
• Vocational and Industrial Arts
• Music, Visual and Performing Arts
• Health & Physical Education
• Leadership and Interpersonal Skills
Our community consistently supports schools through levies, bonds, PTOs, boosters and other fundraisers. Even with the continuation of this critical support, a school-wide survey indicates that many desirable, supplemental and elective education offerings are not available because of the limits of state and local funding.
The Foundation will evaluate and fund grants that are identified as advancing the Vision, Mission and Objectives. Grant Seekers can download an application at www.wsvef.org . Completed applications are due by October 15 th , 2006 with funding to begin February 2007.
In order to fund its work, the Foundation will identify new sources of revenue primarily targeting individuals, charitable foundations, and private organizations. The Foundation will also host two major fundraising events each year.
Already the Foundation has received a generous gift of $50,000 from Wallace and Priscilla Stevenson. The terms of the gift specify that it can be renewed annually for two years if $50,000 in matching funds are raised in each of those years. By rising to this challenge the community has the opportunity to secure $250,000 in new funding by spring of 2008. The Foundation dedicates a minimum of 25% of every contribution to an endowment fund that will extend the work of the Foundation for future generations.
If you wish to make a donation please contact the Foundation at 509.493.1175 or by email at info@wsvef.org . By making a contribution of any size before December 31, 2006, you or your organization will become one of the White Salmon Valley Education Foundation's "Founders". The staff and children of our schools appreciate your continued support!