30 Apr What’s next for Community & District Response fund?
As you might remember, this quick-response, Community & District Response fund was heavily used in March, April, and May 2020 in the strange and challenging early months of the pandemic. In fact, it’s been totally depleted.
Foundation donors who contributed to this fund allowed us to pivot from our “normal” ways of supporting kids and teachers to respond in new, critical ways. including $9,600 for childcare not covered by state and federal grants and $5,000 for internet hotspots for families who need help but do not qualify for state or federal assistance. A total of $44,708 was dispersed from the fund during 2020.
“One of the awesome things about the funds raised through the Community & District Response Fund, is that we were able to say yes to immediate funding,” said Holly Batstone, Foundation Board Vice President. “We voted several times to fund items that two months later were determined to be covered under a relief package from the state or federal efforts. Our immediate funding meant our district was able to act quickly and put things in place, and they were not paralyzed waiting for financial assistance!”
Funds also provided a variety of smaller but crucial items: such as an air purifier for an immune-compromised staff member, sanitized pens at technology distribution events, desk chairs, and other supplies (not including school supplies, which are funded separately) for students learning at home.
We didn’t know what would be needed in those deeply unfamiliar early months. But because of contributions to the response fund, we were able to say yes right away when requests came in.
Now, those contributions have all been used. Would you like to help replenish the fund, to help meet time-sensitive needs as they arise? You can GIVE HERE.
“We hear daily from people in our community who want to help. Using the Community & District Response Fund is the easiest way for people to direct their contributions to funding COVID-19 response,” said Tim Kalso, Foundation Board Treasurer. “It allows the flexibility to fill in gaps as needs are identified.”
With schools opened for in-person learning, the Foundation is being asked to help address new issues. So we’re now re-activating the fund to assist with related costs across the district.
Unbudgeted costs add up quickly. Just one example: $13,000 was needed for COVID testing students in extracurricular activities. We’re not sure what else will come up – mask lanyards are one recent request – but we want to help as much as possible.
We are hopeful that this Covid-19 crisis will be over soon, so we can retire this fund for now. But as we continue to combat this pandemic, additional funds might be needed.
We want to be there for our teachers and students. This transition is hard enough. We want to do everything we can to help teachers be able to focus on teaching and students to focus on learning.
The Board is so grateful to everyone who has trusted us during this past year with contributions in all amounts. We stand ready to continue responding in the most necessary, immediate ways as funds allow. Please stay tuned to learn more about what needs are emerging.
Best,
Anthony Moran, Board President
Northshore Schools Foundation