Where MI Schools Foundation Money Goes

MI Schools Foundation was founded 27 years ago by MI citizens concerned about quality of schools and education on the island. The foundation operates on the belief that great teachers and great programs create the great schools where students of varying abilities have multiple options that meet their needs and enables them to excel. To realize that goal the foundation raises funds annually to supplement the school budget and enable MI School District to invest in teacher development and deliver a variety of enrichment programs across different disciplines and for broad range of students.

These programs are above and beyond the education requirements mandated by state and federal government. MISD also uses funds raised by foundation to obtain latest text books, special purpose supplies like microscopes, projectors and other technology aids for students and teachers. They are also used to fund special field trips and projects. You may want to look at the MISF Annual Report for a more detailed description of activities made possible by foundation grants this year.

The foundation has raised nearly $9.2m in its last 27 years starting from really small amounts in early years and steadily increasing the money raised that goes directly to our schools. Unlike PTAs that narrowly focus on individual schools the foundation raises money that go to all elementary, middle, and high schools and fund an assortment of programs district wide.

The two charts below show how the funds provided by MISF ($712,000) are used in 2007-2008 year. The figures for 2008-2009 will be a little higher ($732,000) but distribution should be generally the same. The foundation raised nearly $800,000 last year.

The chart below shows the sources of funding for MI schools. Funds raised by MI Schools Foundation fall under Gifts etc. (11% slice of the pie). The budget for next year is approx $39m and due to shrinkage in state provided funds (62% of the pie) up to $3m shortfall is expected.

The foundation has already raised $416,000 through the Fall Phone-a-thon campaign and planned to raise upwards of $250,000 at the breakfast. With the new deficit coming into picture in the last month we are trying to increase the funds raised at breakfast to as high as we possibly can.