|
|
IB FUNDING AND FUNDRAISING
A Financial Overview
The early development of our International Baccalaureate Program, years 1 through 5, demanded a significant financial investment. Years 1 and 2 called for start-up membership services, accreditation fees, an abundance of staff training, and a personnel unit or two. These expenditures were primarily paid for from three sources:
1. Riverview’s discretionary account via the School Advisory Council (SAC)
2. Assistance from the School District (central office)
3. Funds from the advanced placement dollars, which filtered into Riverview’s general
dbudget.
In 1999 it was decided that we could lower the financial burden on our school-wide financial resources by utilizing two additional financial sources: The Riverview Foundation and in-kind donations from the IB Parents. These two areas moved the Program through years 3, 4, and 5.
The Riverview Foundation came through by approving an $18,000 three-year grant to offset some of the training and development expenditures of the Program. So too, individual IB parents donated funds during years 3-5 on an average of about $2,000 a year. These sums alone did a lot to decrease SAC’s burden, thereby enabling SAC’s funds to be used in other school development projects.
Simultaneously, the IB Parent Organization had become more established, raising yearly funds to offset many expenses. And, state revenue from program success (IB schools receive additional funds from the state for successful diplomas recipients) had also begun to filter in. Both sources have now taken over the financial burden of running our IB Program. The Riverview Foundation’s three-year commitment, of which we are grateful, has ended. The individual donations from IB parents continue and this is certainly appreciated and well used.
So what is the next arena for program development, finance-wise? For now, we will call it “scholarship” and “educational enhancement” opportunities. Our plan is to undertake fundraising events to raise monies to:
1. Augment our day-to-day education program by bringing guest lecturers, program
specialists, “artists in residence” etc. to our school to work with our IB students and
teachers;
2. Sponsor summer and “off-school” study for our IB students – locally, nationally and
internationally;
3. Grant college scholarship assistance to graduating IB seniors.
The kick-off for this new venture was the April 27th fundraiser on Siesta Beach. This will be followed by a major IB fundraiser in the Fall, a “parent extravaganza,” that promises to be enjoyable. Specifics of this event are detailed in this section of the website.
It is important to remember that state and local funding of our IB Program is always contingent on the economy and on legislation. In order to guarantee the financial health of our IB Program, and thus, the existence of the Program itself, it is wise for the IB parents to find ways to accrue funds, to bankroll a “war chest”, not only for program growth, but for just-in-case.
Paul Gallagher
IB Coordinator
|
|
|
 |
|
