Foundations provide way to bring new ideas to schools

It may seem school district foundations only throw exclusive parties for the well-heeled, but they are a vehicle to help districts fund classroom extras that go beyond the regular budget.

The Cape Public School Foundation and Jackson R-2 School District Foundation have successfully raised funds for classroom teacher grants and other projects.

Events such as golf tournaments, tailgate parties, dinners and fun runs are some ways the foundations raise money. It's more than just fun that results -- the activities or programs financed by the grants help schools think outside the box and bring more of the community onto campus.

Cape Public Schools Foundation executive director Amy McDonald sees the grants and removes applicants' identifying information. She emails grant requests to the committee, which reviews them, ranks them and assigns points up to 100. They usually meet more than once in evaluating them.

The foundation in Cape Girardeau is more than 10 years old and allocates about $10,000 to $15,000 in grants. Last year, the foundation received about $66,000 in funding requests and awarded 10 grants worth a total of $15,000, executive director Amy McDonald said. The average award amount is $1,000.

Grants are expected to be awarded Wednesday. Teachers may apply every year and can have two or three ideas at once. Some instructors have received two grants in a cycle.

The Jackson foundation operates in a similar fashion to the one in Cape Girardeau.

"We consistently as … a foundation raise money throughout the year to raise money for extras -- things teachers may need to enhance a lesson or a device for the classroom," said Meredith Pobst, executive director of the not-for-profit Jackson R-2 School District Foundation. "It's our mission to enhance the excellence of the district."

Last year, Pobst said the foundation received 66 funding requests and approved about half. It's structured so teachers can request grants of up to $500.

Applications are due in October, and grants are awarded in November, she said. But requests sometimes come in for special projects outside the grant-applying window.

The foundation also funds many scholarships, paid for a mobile iPad lab with about 30 devices that can be taken to classrooms, and raised money for technical programs.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 301 N. Clark Ave.; 615 E. Adams, Jackson