Frequently Asked Questions

 

Demopolis residents vitally interested in the health and continued improvement of Demopolis City Schools formed The Demopolis City Schools Foundation, Inc. in the summer of 1993.

The non-profit, private Foundation was a natural offshoot of the organization formed to help raise money to complete the new Demopolis High School. Using $2,000 in seed money from the Alabama Power Foundation's Alabama Education Initiative, the local education fund soon drew the financial support of businesses and individuals in the community.

 

2. What is The Foundation's mission?

The Demopolis City Schools Foundation, Inc. is designed to foster and promote excellence within the Demopolis public school system. It is an active organization that provides the resources needed to effectively influence the success of all students in Demopolis City Schools.

3. What is The Foundation's money used for?

Organizers believed their efforts toward educational enhancement should go directly into the classrooms. Within months of being formed, the Foundation was able to award its first mini-grants to teachers in the school system -- $3,096 worth of equipment and programs, which could not be funded through traditional means. Grant amounts through September 2011 total more than $856,000.

In addition, The Foundation has been the vehicle for contributions to special projects, including Dual Enrollment Scholarships with the Demopolis Higher Education Center, Bucks for Books for the DHS library and money earmarked for tennis courts and upgrades to the auditorium. The Foundation also has worked with the Demopolis City Schools system to back two Qualified Zone Academy Bonds worth $1.8 million.

 

4. How does The Foundation raise money?

By far the greatest financial support for The Foundation comes from the hundreds of private donors and area businesses that realize the importance in investing in public education for the economic, social and cultural well being of the west Alabama.

Foundation members are honored each summer with an Appreciation Celebration, at which time major contributors are recognized with special awards.

Levels of giving include: Member, $30; Sustainer, $100; Partner, $500; Patron, $1,000; Executive, $5,000, and Chair, $25,000. Those contributing on a level of Patron or above are recognized permanently with their names engraved on plaques displayed on the Wall of Honor at DHS.

Foundation investors have the option of choosing any number of ways to take advantage of planned giving opportunities, including contributions of securities, personal property and real estate, as well as making The Foundation the beneficiary of insurance policies or in wills or trust arrangements.

Each year The Foundation also sponsors Schoolfest at all four campuses, and all proceeds are used for grants. The Foundation holds other fund-raisers as needed. Another ongoing source of income is Tiger Court, a courtyard of engraved pavers at the high school dedicated in October of 2006.

 

 

5. Is all the money raised by The Foundation given as grants?

To make sure The Foundation's mission continues, the Board of Directors established the Grant Endowment Fund, which now totals about $620,000. The Board of Directors has set a Grant Endowment "Hallelujah" Goal of $1 million. The principle in the Endowment is never touched. Interest on the funds is pooled with money from other projects to provide for grants.

Contributors of $5,000 or more may choose to honor someone with the creation of a named endowment, which becomes part of the Grant Endowment Fund but is recognized separately. Twenty-seven named endowments benefit the Foundation.

 

6. Who runs The Demopolis City Schools Foundation?

The Foundation is governed by a 32-member Board of Directors. A part-time executive director is hired to coordinate activities.

2011 - 2012 Board of Directors

 

John Northcutt, President	Billy Coplin	Kris Mullins
Kim Townsend,Vice President	Mike Grayson	Claud Neilson
Laura Foster, Secretary	Al Griffin	Jim Parr
Doug Brooker, Treasurer	Sarah Chandler Hallmark	Gary Pinault
Aliquippa Allen	Amy Hasty	Tony Pittman
Wray Anderson	Burnquetta Johnson	Pete Reynolds
Bobby Armstead	Olen Kerby	Charles Singleton
Amie Attaway	Mike Marshall	Chuck Smith
Kim Easley Bell	Bill Meador	Traci Spiller
Patricia Bolden	Paul Miller	Jennifer Tate
Jason Cannon	Fred Moore	Amanda Barnes, Executive Director

 

Tax dollars are used to pay for basic schooling.
The Demopolis City Schools Foundation offers the difference
between adequate and excellent.

 

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Demopolis City Schools Foundation
P.O. Box 1338, Demopolis, AL 36732
Phone: (334) 289-2226 Fax: (334) 289-2207
E-mail: dcsf@westal.net