Education foundation funds Pflugerville projects
Education foundation funds Pflugerville projects
Written by Rachel Youens Saturday, 07 October 2006
The Pflugerville Education Foundation, founded last November, is part of a new trend in school fundraising, which brings parents and the community together as a non-profit foundation. These foundations, separate from the school itself, raise money for specialty programs and scholarships districts can’t afford.
“Teachers want to do innovative things in subjects like arts and sciences, and there’s not enough money for it,” Deb Porter, director of district development said. “With the funding from the Pflugerville Education Foundation, those teachers can apply for a grant to do outside-the-box ideas.”
School foundations have been successful in the Round Rock and San Marcos districts, so when Porter was hired to raise school funds and write grants, she recognized the good a foundation could do for Pflugerville.
What sets school foundations apart from booster clubs and other fundraisers is their IRS status as a 501(c)3 organization. Because they are registered as a charitable organization, money donated to the foundation is tax deductible, encouraging major companies to make large donations.
“There aren’t many commercial businesses in Pflugerville, so one of our peripheral goals it to promote the Pflugerville area and improve the tax rate for the district so that they don’t just rely on homeowners’ tax,” Efram Casarez, foundation president, said.
Donors can earmark their money for a specific use such as a student scholarship or particular program. The contributions given out aren’t limited to student programs alone; the Education Foundation serves the entire district including its employees.
Pflugerville Education Foundation Fundraiser School House Scramble Golf Tournament
- 12 p.m. • Sunday, October 15 at Star Ranch, 2500 FM 685
- The event includes a chipping contest and a shotgun start, with dinner, drinks and trophies provided.
- Funds go toward Innovative Teaching Grants in the spring and special projects for students and educators.
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