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ABOUT US The Conejo Schools Foundation is an independent, community-based organization that mobilizes ideas, leadership, political support, and money necessary to ensure a first-rate education for every child, in every public school, in the neighborhoods of Conejo Valley . We believe that effective community support through a partnership of teachers, the public-at-large, parents and Community businesses and leaders can make a difference. Our Conejo Valley community is challenged to greatness. The
foundation is dedicated to continuously improving learning opportunities
for all district students...our most precious natural resource and our
greatest hope for the future. |
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STRATEGIES The Schools Foundation works in three primary ways to help the community and school district develop and implement strategies to support all students learning at high levels: Investing in teachers: Supporting excellent teaching and providing the resources to support ideas and successful academics to create great schools for all children. Building civic and political will: Leading the charge for public funding for an accountable, first-rate school system. Mobilizing the community: Marshaling the talent and resources of parents, citizens, and businesses throughout the city to strengthen every school in every neighborhood. The bottom line is reason to believe that a community,
working together, can make a real difference in the lives of 22,500
school children and the future of a great city. Founding Year: 2003- 2004
Since then:
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What does the Conejo Schools Foundation do? The Conejo Schools Foundation (CSF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing ideas, leadership political support and raising funds in a partnership with the community and businesses to enable each child to receive a first-rate education. It was organized in mid-2003 and launched with a "First 100 Days" kick-off even on September 14, 2003 to encourage Conejo families and district staff and teachers to support its goals. State funding for education in California is still inadequate for many basic programs and insufficient to fund enrichment programs. California ranks in the bottom third in the United States for funding of K-12 education - approximately $1,000 per student below the national average. In addition, California schools have among the highest class sizes in the US . Without local funding, many programs the parents value would simply disappear. The Conejo Schools Foundation and PTA, PFA's are critical to the quality of education in our community. Conejo Schools Foundation and school PTA's and PFA's work together to support quality education in the Conejo Valley. Why do we need CSF and PTA and PFA? Each organization has a distinct role to play: CSF makes grants to the District to pay for those programs the state of California does not pay. These grants are determined by using priorities set by the CSF, with input from administrators, teachers, classified employees, parents and students. As state funds are below acceptable levels and demands on California's public school grows, our grants help maintain the high quality of education in Conejo. Arts education, athletics and physical education, libraries, technology centers, educational advisement and class size reduction are all programs funded with help from the Conejo Schools Foundation.
School PTA's & PFA's bring parents and teachers together to work
for the common benefit of all children. PTA's promotes parent involvement
in the school. Their primary goal is to support and enrich education. PTA
funds are used to provide classroom and office supplies, instructional
materials, field trips, school beautification, cultural arts and other
school-specific needs. In Conejo, the PTA's & PFA's work with Conejo
Schools Foundation to raise the funds to maintain programs that we believe
are crucial for our students. Conejo Council Board members sit on the CSF
board as a conduit of information to/from both entities. CSF may also seek
input from school PTA or PFA presidents or school site councils to help on
CSF decisions. Why is Conejo Schools Foundation asking me to increase my donation this year? For several years, Conejo Schools Foundation has raised funds to help the district balance its budget without having to eliminate the programs that our community values. In many cases, these programs were reduced, despite Conejo Schools Foundation support, due to both their high cost and the many competing needs of the District. In essence, Conejo Schools Foundation has been trying to maintain the minimum level of quality while the District regains its financial stability. Now, we want to do more than the minimum. Now, Conejo Schools Foundation wants to fund the schools we all want, instead of just the schools we have. How much should I give? If you are a new donor to Conejo Schools Foundation, we ask you consider starting at the Conejo Club with a gift of $1,000 or more. If you have given in the past, we have asked every family to increase their gift by moving up one donor level. The donor levels for Conejo Schools Foundation are:
If the jump up one level is too steep, consider increasing your gift of last year by 50%. This will support our goal of raising an additional $250,000 this year to help create the schools we dream about. What types of donations are accepted? The funds donated can be unrestricted, meaning the foundation board decides how to allocate them. The funds donated can be restricted, meaning the donor specifies the way he or she wants the funds to be used. The donation can be recurring, meaning one can donate on a regular or a predictable basis, is through payroll deduction. Lastly, the donation can be non-recurring, meaning the donation will not be repeating. What new grants will Conejo Schools Foundation make? Any new grants will depend on the amount of funds raised, the priorities of the community, and the needs of our schools. Conejo Schools Foundation is now putting processes in place to generate, review and approve new grants. These decisions are made by the Conejo Schools Foundation board. While we can't be certain what programs we will be able to fund, we do know that science, arts education, libraries, technology, physical education, smaller class size and educational guidance and support will continue to be important priorities for Conejo Schools Foundation. How do I know the District is using Conejo Schools Foundation grants for their intended purpose? Conejo Schools Foundation works closely with the District to determine priorities for allocation of funds. How does Conejo Schools Foundation raise money? Conejo Schools Foundation conducts an annual appeal at the beginning of the school year to raise money from parents, business and the community. Conejo Schools Foundation also solicits corporate and foundation donations directly and through matching gift programs. Are my donations tax exempt? Yes. The Conejo Schools Foundation is a California non-profit, public benefit, corporation. It is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal tax ID number for the Foundation (EIN) is 02-0705355. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Why does Conejo Schools Foundation print a list of donors' names? Can I give anonymously? There is no Conejo Schools Foundation without donors. It may sound trite, but every donor makes a difference, and each gift deserves to be acknowledged. We publicly thank annual donors at least once a year at the conclusion of the annual fund drive in our newsletter and other publications and in the Conejo Schools Foundation Annual Reports. These publications usually report giving by levels. During the campaign, school sites often acknowledge the families who have participated in the annual fund to encourage others to give. These publications identify donors, but not the size of their gift. You can give anonymously to Conejo Schools Foundation. There is a box on our donation envelope to indicate this preference, and if you check it, we will honor your request. We like to thank our donors by name because we believe it honors their gift, and establishes them as leaders in the community. Many people new to the district, or to Conejo Schools Foundation, give because they are prompted not by us, but by you. Seeing your name on a public acknowledgement tells the people who know and respect you that you have lent your support to our efforts. That usually means more than all the letters we can write. Join your PTA & PFA PTA & PFA gains strength by high levels of membership and parent involvement. Needs vary by site. Please check your PTA & PFA website to learn the volunteer and financial needs of your school. How much money will make a difference? A donation of $25 per student can have an impact, and an extra $25 per student can produce a change in education. The donation is no longer charity but an investment. I do not have children in our local schools. Still, how can I help? There is no better way to invest in the future than by helping our local schools and the citizens of tomorrow! Our quality of life in the Conejo, and the assets that attract both homebuyers and businesses, are validated by the excellent reputation of our schools. Any gift, large or small, will help our schools, students, and community. Citizens can "leave a legacy" with a major gift. The district, in turn, can pay tribute to these donors by naming a facility or program in their honor. I'm accustomed to supporting my neighborhood school. What should I do? Please continue to do so! But also consider the impact that a gift to the foundation can have on all schools. Remember, your child will attend at least three different campuses between kindergarten and 12th grade. The foundation has pledged to assist all schools equitably, with grants that will make a difference for every youngster. The Conejo Schools Foundation supports the efforts of PTAs and other booster organizations and strives to augment, rather than duplicate, their school support. I'd like to make a major gift. How will I be recognized? With a major gift to a foundation initiative, the benefactor's name will be permanently associated with the program or facility. Donors may endow a building or sports center - such as one of the high school performing arts centers, football stadiums, or swimming pools; high school or middle school gyms; or science laboratories - and have their names permanently inscribed on the facility. These donors will be recognized on a district office plaque, in annual reports and donor honor rolls, and in other publicity. Why is the foundation needed when state, lottery and bond funds are available? California school funding is more than $1,000 below the national per-student average. Property taxes collected from Conejo Valley homeowners are used by the State to offset total payments of State education funds due to our school district. Increasing property tax collections actually benefit the State's budget, but do not provide more income for our district. Lottery funds make up less than 1% of the school district's income and have not grown in recent years. They are already budgeted to support existing instructional programs and material and are not available to support new programs. Measure R bond funds can only be spent on school construction and modernization projects approved by voters when the bond was passed. They cannot fund academic resources and enrichment programs. Thus, the foundation has stepped in as a new, local, and dependable source of school support. Can I include the foundation in my estate planning? Most definitely. A planned gift is a wonderful tribute to Conejo schools and a gift that lasts beyond a lifetime. Please contact the foundation to discuss your interests. How do I make a gift and where do I send it?
All gifts are received with gratitude and acknowledged with a written
response. Make checks payable to: Conejo Schools Foundation. Mail
to: Conejo Schools Foundation, 1400 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA
91362 |
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revised 1/16/07 |
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