What is the Foundation?
It’s a stand-alone separate legal entity that will be fundraising for our wonderful elementary school. Acacia Elementary School Foundation was established to lead fundraising efforts in support of supplemental enrichment programs at Acacia Elementary School. These programs include:

As you are all painfully aware, the California state budget is dramatically underfunded, and the schools districts are feeling the shortfall. Further, and as a result of recently enforced regulations, the school cannot ask for money. We are fortunate that the Fullerton School District has responsibly managed their funds and that Acacia will be flat funded for this school year, which means that Acacia has been budgeted at the same levels as last year. However, the student population is growing. This means less money per student, and no funding for any additional improvements or programs, and no way to ask for money. Historically, we have asked the students to fundraise; to sell goods or food to parents and family, with the hope of capturing the proceeds. Unfortunately, the money spent on those goods and food was only partially realized by the school.

The concept of the Foundation is one that is sweeping the state. We are aware of at least 600 foundations throughout California, and a handful in our own district. The idea is to relieve our students of the burden of fundraising, and to capture more of the proceeds of fundraising efforts.

The Foundation will be asking for monthly membership donations, corporate donations and sponsorships, and applying for grants. The funds received will be managed by the Foundation Board of Directors, elected by you, the Members, and will be used to support specific needs at the school. Further, there will be one flagship fundraising event, a “Casino Night” held in February of 2012. The Foundation is applying for, and is very likely to achieve tax exempt status within weeks. The tax exempt status will be retroactive, and all monthly donations received should be deemed tax-deductible (check with your tax advisor).

We have a great school! Please help the Acacia Elementary School Foundation support our fabulous teachers and administration as they teach our precious children.

-Michelle Knowles, Acting President, Acacia Elementary School Foundation.