Community Foundation possibilities

On July 9, 2007 the ECASD held a Work Session to discuss the possibility of developing a Community Foundation that would benefit the ECASD. Invited guests were Laura Hookom of the ECCF (Eau Claire Community Foundation) and Paul Wanke who is on the ECCF Board of Trustees. Laura gave an introductory presentation about the history of the ECCF and the success they have had in tapping the community's generosity and interest in philanthropy. She reminded BOE members that an endowment would not replace the efforts of school booster clubs but would serve as a longer term endowment building vehicle that could give annual funding to school district activities from the earnings.She noted that approx. $1,000,000 would have to be raised to provide $50,000 in annual gifts back.

There were many questions during the presentation such as who would decide how the payout $'s would be used (a "perpetual" panel, possibly BOE members) or whether or not individual funds for each school would be considered (Comm. Cummins pointed out the difficulty with equity issues among schools might preclude such a thing.) Ms. Hookom pointed out that the new "Collaborative Philanthropy" idea has many possibilities for, say the alumni, of the ECASD to have a common goal such as the new Women's Circle Endowment at the ECCF.

At this point Commissioner Wogahn lapsed into one of his lengthy anecdotal tangents about his wife and her alma mater that is so successful in tracking down alumni through many geographic moves to ask for money to support the school. He, of course, managed to include his own high school experience and pals and teachers who he thinks about and "chuckles". Audience members noted that at least one other board member and an administrator were struggling to control their laughter and shaking shoulders during this sentimental trip back in time for Commissioner Wogahn.

Back to business ... Ms. Hookom indicated that any solicitation of funds should be sufficiently generic to not create future problems in using the funds according to donor' wishes that might be extremely restrictive. Also, the ECCF does a very limited amount of being a "conduit" for funds raised and paid out within the same year. This kind of activity would probably be more appropriate for booster clubs rather than a foundation.