Portal to the Education Foundation

THE INFORMATION BELOW WAS PART OF THE BOARD MOTION, MARCH 4, 2020, THAT CREATED THE UNION CITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION. PRESENTED HERE TO SHOW THE REASON BEHIND CHANGE AND THE CONTINUING ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATION AS CREATOR  AND VITAL DRIVING FORCE OF THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

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Journey to Recognition of Need for Organizational Change

     In the decade from 2010-2019, we became arguably the most successful Alumni Association in the state of Indiana. We executed traditional local Alumni Association duties but also became increasingly active communicators with alumni around the country, aimed at making alumni aware of the school’s financial challenges and the opportunity to help.

     These fund-raising activities were facilitated by successful application for 501(c)(3) status which allows donor support on a tax exempt basis. 

     We initiated a Teacher Grant program, modeling it after the Brownsburg Education Foundation’s program where Union City Alum Kathy Corbin ('65) was superintendent. 

     We announced to Alumni that we were prepared to discuss planned giving and estate planning as donation options. This concept grew slowly and in 2019 resulted in the ultimate result for a small school… a high six figure bequest.

Recognition of Need to Change

Even brief discussion with veterans of education-related fund-raising  made clear that the fiduciary responsibilities of high-dollar donations include policies, procedures and protocols that we did not yet have. Alumni experts again included Kathleen Corbin, and David Young ('67) who is an active supporter of Union City education and has led a substantial foundation in Virginia.

     We also found that there were no relevant growth models for high school alumni associations that had progressed deep into major fund-raising. More typical were organizations raising funds by selling t-shirts and caps or popcorn and Coke at athletic events.

Solution and Subject of Today’s Motion

     Several trusted friends in the education field pointed out that we had essentially evolved into a functioning Education Foundation in mission and basic functionality. The state of Indiana is blessed with an active association that guides educational foundations, the Indiana Association of Public Education Foundations (INAPEF), consisting of Foundations of every size, many long-established, some relativity new. We learned that we could transform into an official Foundation — actually by simply changing our name and making appropriate changes in policies and protocols including organizational disciplines and due diligence interaction with donors. The roadmap for change is made clear via our INAPEF member benefits. None of the related costs are burdensome for our organization, and as our organizational plan shows, we maintain the Alumni Association as a vital element within the Foundation structure.

Respectfully submitted by Bill Corbin, Alumni Association President