Dear Parents:
Our first annual Foundation auction is scheduled for May 2, 2009. For those of you who are not aware, the foundation was voted by the Parent Advisory Committee nearly two years ago. We received our 501 (c ) (3) status approval May 2008.
The foundation will provide services, scholarships, school equipment for The Children's Hour Academy. The foundation is governed by a board exclusive of any officers of The Children's Hour Academy.
For those who are unaware, as officers of the school, we personally scholarship tuition for several children. This out-of-pocket giving amounts to a great deal of money. We, personally, take little from the school as wage. All income is invested back into the school.
Through the years the school has come to mean many different things to many different people. As the owner and executive director, I have always tried to make tuition as affordable as possible. Our operating expenses are minimal and our profit margin is lean. There is certainly more need than we are able to support, and while that is a testament to our exceptional program being in demand; it is always disappointing for me and for the affected prospective student whose parents are unable to afford tuition, even when discounted. Some children don't face a tuition affordability hurdle, but rather a developmental one, in that the support staff or equipment necessary for the child's day-to-day functioning among peers in a school setting is not readily available or affordable.
I explored ways to accommodate the needs of the handful of families with challenges to enrollment without compromising the majority of our enrollees who do not have special needs. Additional consideration has to be given to the fact that The Children's Hour Academy is, in fact, a business with financial obligations such as facility maintenance, payroll, curriculum and such. Despite my earning intentions, as a business owner, I realized that I am not able to help everyone, every time. However, that was not acceptable to me, and when the suggestion was made to consider forming a foundation to support the school in all the ways I was not able to practically do, I began to see the potential good such an endeavor could bring about.
As the idea of this prospect was unfolding, the school was growing and our building lease was coming up for renewal. It was decided that rather than purse an extension of the lease, a wiser decision would be to lease a larger and more appropriate building of our own. Although this growth was exciting and positive, the expense and financial commitment of such a move was daunting would further restrict our ability to offer tuition assistance to families in need. It became clear that any plan for the future of the school must include a comprehensive strategy for providing an appropriate and affordable option for attendance for students who faced financial difficulties and for students with disabilities.
The faculty and administration initiated the formation of a committee with the intention of a board to evolve from the committee. Parents of students "stepped up" and have met regularly for the past few years.
The potential for grant support from private foundations is vast; the furnishings and adaptive equipment are areas of interest to private foundations with a focal point on supporting children with special needs. The library and computer lab are also specific areas of focus for foundations that support literacy efforts, and for corporate foundations with technology interests.
The Children's Hour Academy Foundation is fortified with parent volunteers committed to the mission of the school. One such volunteer has completed coursework in grant writing and fundraising. She is assisting us with grant seeking and writing.
Article II – Purposes states: The purpose of the Children's Hour Academy Foundation is three-fold with all three components providing the means to address the needs of children. Parents of the students enrolled in The Children's Hour Academy are eligible to apply to the foundation known as (CHAF) for tuition assistance. Parents may also request aid or supplemental funding for professional services and support staff to meet a child's need for speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral analysis and treatment, or psychological counseling. The CHAF will provide support to the Academy for acquisition of equipment, furniture, and other capital expenses. Programs delivered to students beyond traditional curriculum whether it is supplemental or adaptive, are eligible for support from the CHAF, serving all students regardless of need or ability.
Please note that the purposes must be submitted to the foundation for consideration. This must be taken under advisement by the Board and Officers and will include a formal application process whereby the applicant must demonstrate need.
To run a school of quality is extremely expensive. The foundation will serve both families and staff. I pray this helps to understand the function of the foundation and the need, as with any public or private school, to support the education of children through donations and auctions. Please support our foundation and cause so that the school can continue to support the community and maintain its mission for children.
Ms. Patty
