More Detail UPDATE Items

Our growth as an Alumni Association has made it clear that financially-blessed Alumni are interested in discussing large-impact donations via direct gifts, estate bequests or other forms of planned giving. This interest in Remembering, Reaching Back, and Making a Difference fits perfectly with the increasing demands being placed on public-school education in the 21st Century.  

The "Journey" discussion below explains in depth the purpose of this change, and our increased ability to play a game-changing role in Union City education. Note that the Alumni Association continues to operate vigorously as a standing committee within the UCEF 501(c)(3) structure. 

The website www.UnionCityEducationFoundation.org is ready for review and inquiry.

THe critical SEED FUNDING campaign is underway now, providing the funds necessary to build infrastructure that will literally last a hundred years.   Click SEED or ENGAGE on top me

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Journey to Recognition of Need for Organizational Change

(Presented as part of Alumni Association Board consideration)

      In the decade from 2010-2019, we became arguably the most successful Alumni Association in the state of Indiana. We executed traditional Alumni Association duties and 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 created by Union City Alum Kathleen Corbin, ‘67. 

      We announced to Alumni that we were prepared to discuss planned giving as part of individual’s estate planning. This concept grew slowly but gradually, 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 includes 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 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