June 2025 District 196 Foundation Meeting Recap
Date: June 10, 2025
Attendees: 11 members
Welcome and Introduction
The District 196 Foundation Board met in person for its June meeting. Chair of the board, Hue Nguyen, facilitated the discussion, which focused on budget updates, long-term fundraising strategy, inflation-related program cost increases, and officer elections.
Financial Update
Treasurer Sarah Jackson presented the April financials and noted that May figures will be circulated once finalized. The Foundation is currently operating with a planned budget deficit; however, higher-than-expected interest income has helped balance lower-than-projected fundraising expenses. Overall, the board remains confident in the Foundation’s financial health. Tracey Dwight and Sarah will also update the billing for the Foundation website now that the bank card is available.
Fundraising Efforts
The board held an open discussion on planning for the 2025–2026 fundraising cycle. Hue Nguyen raised the question of whether to return to a single large-scale event or continue with microfundraisers. After weighing the cost and effort involved, the board agreed to continue with microfundraisers moving forward.
Ideas discussed for next year’s efforts included:
Increased outreach to high-level individual donors
A holiday giving campaign with a tax-deductible angle
Round-up campaigns with local retailers such as Hy-Vee, Valley Natural Co-op, and other community businesses
Outreach to local banks as potential donor or sponsor partners
A cleanup campaign for remaining school board member-related funds
The board recommended forming a fundraising subcommittee to prioritize these ideas and begin planning the next year’s budget.
Program Needs and Inflation Impact
The board reviewed how rising costs are affecting ongoing programs. Notable increases include the annual school supply drive request, which has grown from $2,500 to $3,000, and a 17% increase in costs for the Every Meal program. Additionally, the new Emerald Trail Elementary School will not qualify for Every Meal unless it receives a full sponsorship. Concerns were also raised about families opting out of the program due to privacy issues.
A motion was passed to increase the budget for school supplies from $2,500 to $3,000.
Officer Elections
Officer elections were held for the upcoming term:
Chair: Justin Emmerich
Vice Chair: Jim Schowalter
Treasurer: Sarah Jackson
Secretary: Pending confirmation from Dilip Nayak
All motions were approved unanimously.
Board Recruitment
The board acknowledged the upcoming departures of members Lizzie Kerr and Jenn O’Rourke. A recruitment committee—consisting of Hue Nguyen, Jenn O’Rourke, and Lizzie Kerr—will lead interviews for new members, with a goal of onboarding by October. Recruitment efforts will include outreach through board referrals and advertisements in District Spotlight and 196 Connection.
Are you interested in joining the board? You can apply here.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded with a set of clear action items for summer planning and recruitment. Board members left with renewed energy to support the Foundation’s mission as they prepare for the 2025–2026 school year.