Foundation cancels golf fund-raiser

by Maria Hoover

Inside Business Editor

mhoover@sbj.net

The Springfield Public Schools Foundation won't be teeing off this year to raise money for its operating budget.

"Our mission is to raise, manage and distribute private investment to benefit students of Springfield Public Schools, so everything we do, we look back to (and ask), Is this helping us to fulfill this mission?'" said Linda Regan, project and development director with the foundation.

Regan said that the organization has had an annual golf tournament for about eight years, and for the last couple of years, the proceeds were earmarked for the foundation's operating budget.

While Regan declined to say what the foundation's operating budget is, according to the organization's 990 form, posted on www.Guidestar.org, in 2003, the program had operating expenses of $161,509 and program services expenses of $403,988.

But this year, instead of getting an invitation to play in the golf tournament, previous participants recieved a card letting them know that the event won't be held this year.

"For a couple of years, we noticed the participation declining and in kind of tracking all of the golf tournaments in the community, it seems like we've noticed over the past several years, the number of tournaments continues to increase," Regan said.

"So then, as we would talk to businesses about providing a team I think what we were sensing is quite a bit of overlap in so many of the tournaments that were out there. It just seems businesses were starting to say, Gosh, we just allowed a group of employees to take off last month to play in a golf tournament. We really can't afford to do that next month,'" she said.

The foundation's board of directors decided that, based on its observations and the feeling that tournaments were having to compete more for the same golfers and hole sponsors, the tournament wasn't the best way to go, she said.

Bringing funds in

Regan said that the foundation has several fund-raising activities throughout the year, but many of those don't fund the operating budget.

The foundation is preparing to kick off its annual "Back to School with the Foundation" campaign, which raises money for classroom grants to meet a variety of student and teacher needs.

The foundation used to do the Telethon for Technology, which raised money specifically for technology needs in Springfield Public Schools.

As for "Back to School with the Foundation," Regan said, "It's kind of Telethon for Technology: The Next Generation.' It was opened up to all types of educational needs, and teachers write grants for the money we raise, so that money is distributed through what's called school improvement money and grants."

Money for the operating budget comes from a sustaining member campaign that began just a few years ago and is strictly used for operating expenses.

Also, Regan said, along with the notices that the golf event was cancelled, the foundation sent pledge slips offering people the opportunity to donate.

"We've had people respond to the non-event golf tournament, saying; Oh, gosh, if I don't have to figure out how to participate in your tournament, I appreciate that. Please accept my donation,'" she said.