As the Middletown Township Education Foundation wraps up its fiscal year, the organization finds itself at a critical juncture. Organized with 20 volunteers in 1985, the foundation is one of the oldest operating local education foundations in the state. However, it now finds itself operating with fewer than 10 active trustees, and our numbers are dwindling.
The foundation is working toward building an endowment to ensure continuous financial strength, but we’re not there yet. We must continue to conduct fund-raisers. We must also continue to manage as an organization. We need volunteers. If the foundation cannot increase its number of active trustees to at least 15 by June 30, it will be forced to limit its operations. The funds on hand will be allocated until they are depleted, and the foundation will then cease to exist.
Local education foundations around the country play an increasingly vital role in their communities. By raising money privately, they ensure the availability of funds for education-related projects that fall outside the normal budgetary limits.
An active local education foundation can also enhance the image of its district as one that is supportive of public education — a benefit realized by every taxpayer.
In our district, the Middletown Township Education Foundation ensures every dollar raised stays in Middletown for education in Middletown. We typically allocate $30,000-$40,000 annually for new and innovative programs. We expect that amount to increase. Without the foundation, teachers will be forced to find other sources of funding or simply do without. That’s more than $30,000 each year that will no longer be available for educational programs in Middletown schools if there is no education foundation.
On May 12 at 8 p.m. in the library of Middletown High School North, the Middletown Township Education Foundation will hold an informational meeting for anyone interested in learning more about the organization.
The public is invited. There is no obligation in attending, but please call (732) 345-0230 to preregister so we can get an attendance estimate.
We thank you all for your continued support and urge you to pass this message on to your friends and colleagues.
Joy Rothman
president
Joanne Clark Tessem
corresponding secretary
Middletown Township
Education Foundation