FAQ for Annual Fund Campaign 2009-10
The Governor's School Foundation's Annual Fund Campaign plays a critical role in enhancing the educational experience students receive at the Governor's School. These gifts support student participation in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities; updated technology and equipment; and additional faculty professional and gifted education training.
Who and what is the Governor's School Foundation?
The Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 organization established in 1992 with the mission to promote, aid, and support the critical academic and co-curricular programs of the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. The Governor's School Foundation also seeks to keep alumni, alumni parents, and friends connected to the school.
The Foundation is run by a board of directors made up of alumni, parents of current students, alumni parents, and school administrators. The Foundation is very much volunteer-driven, and the only employee is Hal Waller, a faculty member whose administrative duties include serving as the Foundation's part-time development officer.
The Governor's School Foundation maintains a website and a Facebook group for alumni. We assist in class reunions and alumni receptions, and we maintain an alumni directory with contact information for our graduates.
Although the Foundation can be a conduit for corporate grants and scholarship monies, our primary means of fund raising for MLWGS is the Annual Fund Campaign.
Why do we need the Annual Fund?
MLWGS is a public school, and we receive necessary funding both from the state and from the 12 different school districts we serve. The Annual Fund provides resources for enhancements to our school's programs, be that additional technology, teachers' professional development, or help to student programs and clubs.
We have extremely gifted students with a passion for learning, and in order to best serve their needs, we need to raise funds in addition to those provided by tax dollars.
In Virginia, people find it very typical to participate in fund raising campaigns for public colleges such as UVA and William and Mary, but we don't always think of philanthropy in support of k-12 education. The school districts we represent all have educational foundations that fund raise for them, but since the resources that those foundations provide are not available to us, we must turn to our own Governor's School Foundation for support.
What will this year's Annual Fund support specifically?
The Governor's School Foundation has worked with the school's administration to devise a list of specific projects that fall in the following three specific areas of learning:
Facilities and Technology: This year we will provide financial support for the continued renovation of the Digital Media Lab, a Mac computer lab suited for graphic, video, and music design. We are also supporting the purchase of Interactive Whiteboards for some classrooms. These devices allow for the classroom whiteboard to become a virtual computer screen.
Professional Development for Teachers: Many Governor's School teachers attend conferences and take graduate classes in their field of study. The Governor's School Foundation will help to augment the Staff Development Fund, which lessens the financial burden on teachers for the costs of these experiences. For a number of years, the Governor's School has fully funded the Instructional Enhancement Fund, which provides money for curriculum development, as well as professional training activities that occur during teacher workdays.
Student Involvement in Activities: Historically, student activities has been the area in which the Foundation's fund raising has been the most active. This year we will again be funding multiple Club/Activity Grants, which touch the lives of just about all of the students in the school. Additionally, we will begin a special fund that will support any International Exchanges that happen over the course of the year. For the second year, the Foundation is supporting the Student Aid Fund, which can be tapped into on an individual basis on behalf of underprivileged students who are unable to participate fully in school life.
May donors specify how their donations will be spent?
In general, yes. Donations may be restricted to any school club, organization, activity, or department that has a financial account. Donations may not go directly to a teacher or an administrator. We do especially welcome unrestricted gifts, which allow the priorities of the school to be met first.
How long is the drive for the 2009-10 Annual Fund?
The campaign follows the school year and will end on May 31, 2010.
What kind of role do alumni play in the Annual Fund Campaign?
Alumni play a crucial role in the campaign, and this year's participation goal is 30%. The Governor's School has graduated over 2,000 alumni, who stay in touch with the school and each other through events and websites sponsored by the Governor's School Foundation.
What are some of the specific projects have received funds so far this year?
-
Robotics Team
- Music Department--computer software
- Sheet music for orchestra and chorus
- AP US History test preparation
- Black history program sponsored by Peer Mentors
- Architecture Senior Seminar
- Newtowne Tutoring
- Visual Arts department
- We the People instructional resources
- GSMUN--Governor's School Model United Nations conference
- BoB Squad--Academic team
- National Art Honor Society
- All-School Read Program
- USB--United Sisters and Brothers
- Student Aid Fund--allows students to participate who do not have the financial means
- Technology--video cameras for classroom use
- Field Hockey
- Classroom projectors
- Digital Media Lab
- Professional Development for teachers
|
