About the Foundation
It comes as no surprise to educational supporters, such as yourself, that funding for education has been in turmoil for several years now. Increasingly, as the general economy becomes more and more strained, funding for education suffers. Although boards of education and educators in general are quite willing to "do their part" in responding to the tough economic times, often the end result has its greatest impact on our children and their learning opportunities. Effective learning environments are supplemented and enhanced by access to funds which are usually not included when minimal state and local funding formulas are addressed. For this reason, many school districts are setting up voluntary programs to enhance educational funding. Turner USD #202 has done this with the establishment of The Turner Foundation.
Through The Turner Foundation, students at every level - from kindergarten through graduating seniors - have an opportunity to benefit from the generosity of the Turner community. In exchange, Turner patrons can benefit from their contributions to the program by (1) directing their contributions to the student group of their preference and (2) receiving a tax deduction if you itemize. How does this work?
The Turner Foundation sells 2 Turner Foundation Pass Cards to a patron for a donation of $50. The donation can be taken as a tax deduction if you itemize. The Turner Foundation Pass Cards will allow the named card holders free entrance to all THS home athletic contests (with the exception of state playoff competitions). Individuals can also make direct donations, in any preferred amount, to The Turner Foundation. Donations are dispersed in three ways:
- The contributor can designate the student group or function to which 50% of the donation will be directed. Thus, for example, an individual purchasing $50 Turner Foundation Pass Cards can direct $25 to a preferred student activity within any of the Turner schools.
- Twenty-five percent of the contributions is directed toward the scholarship program, which benefits graduating seniors each year.
- Twenty-five percent goes into the Foundation's operating budget. In addition to the minimal amount of funds that are used to administer the Foundation, assets in the operating budget are used to support two functions, in addition to the scholarship program: Student Enrichment Programs and Teaching and Learning Grants. Both of these programs directly benefit students in their classrooms at all levels throughout the district.
The Turner Foundation not only raises funds through the sale of Turner Foundation Pass Cards, it is also organized to accept direct donations from individuals and groups. The establishment of Business Partners is sought as another means of channeling funds to student learning events in the district. A portion of concession profits from THS activities is retained by the host group while a percentage flows to the Turner Foundation. The host organization, such as the football boosters, has the option of directing 50% of the money going to the Turner Foundation to its preferred student activity (presumably, in this case, the football program).
For those who would like to sustain Turner students through their leading projects, senior scholarships, and extra-curricular activities by purchasing Turner Foundation Pass Cards or making a direct donation to the Turner Foundation, you may contact a Turner Foundation officer or board member, contact any Turner school administrator, or download a Patron Application.
If you have further questions about the Turner Foundation, you are invited to contact The Turner Foundation Executive Director, Linda Alvey Lockwood at 913-219-7332, or email her at lockwoodl@turnerusd202.org.
