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The Demopolis City Schools Foundation, Inc. |
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1. How did The Foundation get its start? 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. |
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DSCF FAQs (Demopolis City Schools Foundation Frequently Asked Questions) |
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2. 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 2007 total $650,000. In addition, the Foundation has been the vehicle for contributions to special projects, including 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. 3. How does The Foundation raise money? Each year the Foundation sponsors Schoolfest at all four campuses, and all proceeds are used for grants. The Foundation holds other fund-raisers, such as the popular barbecue held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Another source of income is School Supply Bags for students at Westside Elementary School. Also underway is the Tiger Court project at Demopolis High School to create a courtyard of engraved pavers. 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 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. 4. Is all the money raised by The Foundation’s given as grants? To make sure The Foundation’s mission continues, the Board of Directors established the Grant Endowment Fund. The Board of Directors has set a Grant Endowment Goal of $1 million, and the Foundation is halfway there. The Endowment principle 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. It becomes part of the Grant Endowment Fund but is recognized separately. Contributions of $100 or more may be added named endowments. 5. 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. |
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Using $2,000 in seed money from the Alabama Power Foundation, the local education fund soon drew the financial support of businesses and individuals in the community |