Schools
Parkland Education Foundation Seeks Executive Director
The Parkland Education Foundation has been growing and received $212,000 in its second fiscal year.
By Tom DeMartini
The continued growth of the Parkland Education Foundation has created the need to seek a part-time executive director, according to Nicole McGalla, director of community and public relations for Parkland School District.
The non-profit foundation provides a tax benefit to businesses and creates new revenue streams for the district, among other activities.
McGalla said $212,000 in gifts were received by the foundation in its second fiscal year, up from $130,000 in the prior fiscal year. Of that money, $206,000 went back to the school district.
McGalla said a part-time executive director would help create more awareness of the foundation and marketing opportunities.
"We see a real value in an alumni association for donation campaigns," McGalla recently told school board members.
McGalla noted that many anonymous gifts have been received by the foundation, including a $10,000 gift that paid for middle school band instruments. In addition, a $2,500 anonymous gift was used for the high school musical production.
The foundation received many anonymous $1,000 gifts, she said.
The organization awarded 57 educational grants totaling more than $86,000 this year. Teachers can apply for grants in August, McGalla said.
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