Foundation for Boyertown Education

The Foundation for Boyertown Education is an independent, public charity and non-profit organization founded in 2013. It operates as a 501(c)(3) entity, separate from the Boyertown Area School District (BASD), and is governed by a volunteer board of community leaders, business owners, and parents[1][3].

Mission

The foundation's mission is to provide enriched educational experiences for students within the Boyertown Area School District. It achieves this by offering grants and creating enhanced learning opportunities, aiming to strengthen the community through strong schools[1][2].

Funding and Grant Process

To support its mission, the foundation relies on tax-deductible donations from various sources, including individuals, businesses, corporations, service clubs, civic groups, alumni, and residents[1]. The foundation allocates a limited portion of its funds each year to support innovative educational programs and extracurricular initiatives across all grade levels within the district[2].

Grants are awarded based on several criteria, including the impact on a significant number of students, provision of enrichment opportunities, expansion of innovative education programs, enhancement of technology, and enrichment of extracurricular initiatives. The foundation generally funds projects ranging from $250 to $2,500, with exceptions possible[2]. However, it does not provide funding for salaries, regular budget items, compensation for project time, capital improvements, ongoing project support, membership fees, scholarships, food, one-time field trips, textbooks, or promotional items like T-shirts[2].

Operational Structure

The foundation is managed by a volunteer board, ensuring its independence from the school district. This structure allows the foundation to make decisions on grant allocations and funding strategies without interference from the school administration[3].

Impact

By supporting educational initiatives and innovations, the foundation plays a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience for students in the Boyertown Area School District. It fosters the development of students as leaders and lifelong learners, contributing to the growth and strength of the community as a whole[1][4]. Despite its contributions, recent reports indicate that the foundation did not award grants in certain years, highlighting the importance of ongoing community support for its mission[5].