Search
Fundraising Stories
Spencer Community School Foundation
Oct 12, 2007
Giving back to education has been happening a lot in Spencer, Iowa, (population 11,000, K-12 student population 2,000) since Heidi Toale’s positive energy has branched out into the community.
Giving back to education has been happening a lot in Spencer, Iowa, (population 11,000, K-12 student population 2,000) since Heidi Toale’s positive energy has branched out into the community. In 2003, the foundation worked with Spencer’s vocational technology instructor to create partnerships with area businesses. “We now have a wonderful school-business partnership, a rewritten curriculum, and have raised over $75,000 to purchase new vocational technology equipment,” explains Toale, executive director for the Spencer Community School Foundation (SCSF). In 2004, over $102,000 was raised to equip the new Spencer Middle School band and choir rooms with state-of-the-art equipment. The space is also used for K-12 teacher meetings and community meetings.The icing on the cake began in 2006, when Toale gathered input from Spencer’s teachers about what they would do to enhance and enrich education in their school. “I incorporated their comments into a grant,” she shares. “We were awarded $400,000. With that, I get the opportunity to raise $200,000 to leverage the grant. We will have a total of $600,000 to benefit our students and community!” With these dollars, SCSF plans to bring in educational speakers and authors, enhance business-school partnerships, fund field trips and grants to teachers and students, and promote technology and technology training for teachers.
“I think we’re at the tipping point to really take things to the next level,” says Toale. The trend she sees in K-12 foundation fundraising is establishing relationships with high school alumni. SCSF is currently in the process of establishing a Spencer High School alumni association. A former university president and Spencer graduate has volunteered to assist with this endeavor.
Toale is a part-time executive director who was a member of the SCSF board before accepting the director position. “What better profession to be involved with than one that enhances and enriches the education and development of our children, our future?” asks Toale. The foundation recently hired a director of development and alumni relations to support the foundation’s expanded activities.
When asked what advice she would give someone just starting out in fundraising, Toale exclaims, “Join and get involved with NSFA – be connected to your peers!” She adds, “Listen and communicate with your superintendent, your teachers and your alumni - get to know their needs and work to fulfill them. Know that your mission is to elevate education. Be enthusiastic and passionate.”
“Our foundation’s mission is to enhance and enrich the Spencer Community School District’s educational mission,” states Toale. A school board representative participates on the SCSF board, providing two-way communication and input. Toale adds, “The foundation is such a benefit to our school, teachers and students. It really does elevate education and the community, and provides a place to give back to education.”
For more information, contact:Heidi Toale
Executive Director
Spencer Community
School Foundation
(712) 262-8950
www.spencerschoolfoundation.com
