Education Foundations That Share Your District's Mission

Presentation by Kathleen J. Mckee on February 2, 2011

Given cuts to public education funding, districts throughout the state welcome financial support from educational foundations. What is the district's role in establishing and supervising an educational foundation? Who should sit on the foundation board? Must/can district officials attend their meetings? What must be in the foundation's bylaws? Does your district have necessary policy to accept gifts and donations? Must/should the district approve any and all documents that use the district image, logo, access facilities and or request support from district personnel? Unfortunately, a well-intentioned foundation can make missteps that compromise their 501 (c) (3) status as well as potentially the district's reputation and integrity.

Kathleen J. McKee, partner at Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost and business and ethics expert will outline the legal boundaries between district leaders and school boards' authority and autonomy with their education foundations.