The private nonprofit foundation raises money to support programs and teachers in Lawrence schools. Susan Esau, the executive director, takes your questions.

Moderator

Good afternoon. This is Dennis Anderson, managing editor of the Lawrence Journal-World. I will be moderating today’s online chat with Susan Esau, executive director of the Lawrence Schools Foundation. Welcome Susan.

Susan Esau

Hi,Dennis! Thank you for inviting me to chat. I’m very happy to represent the Lawrence Schools Foundation.

Moderator

I’ll ask the first question. What does the schools foundation do?

Susan Esau

A great, very basic question. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization which raises money to support the Lawrence Public Schools in various ways. The Foundation’s mission is to enrich the education provided to all students in our schools. We support early childhood education for at-risk four year olds, student scholarships, and grants and awards for our outstanding teachers and other district-wide programs.

commuter

How much of your annual budget goes to the following?

Early childhood?

Elemenatary school?

Junior High Schools?

High Schools?

Susan Esau

Approximately 40% of our budget supports the early childhood “Readiness” program located at East Heights (15th & Haskell). Our other support is districtwide, and not really broken down by elementary, junior high, and high school. For example, our teacher grants are available to our educators at all of our schools. We do have some special funds, such as the Davidson Debate Fund, that were established by private gifts to benefit a specific program. The Debate Fund, for example, benefits the high school debate programs.

Moderator

What are some of the reasons individuals and businesses give for making a donation to the foundation?

Susan Esau

Donors make charitable gifts for a variety of personal and business reasons. We find that most of our donors either have a connection to our schools, the education community in general, or simply realize the benefit the entire Lawrence community derives from having great public schools. As a 501(c)(3), gifts to the Foundation are a tax deduction, and I’m sure that plays a part in charitable giving to some extent.

Moderator

What is the relationship between the Lawrence Schools Foundation and the Douglas County Community Foundation?

Susan Esau

The Lawrence Schools Foundation specifically raises money for the Lawrence Public Schools, while the Community Foundation manages funds used for a variety of charitable purposes in this community. We have formed a strategic partnership with the Community Foundation, which manages the Schools Foundation’s investments, along with its other pooled investments. Both Foundations have the same goal of supporting this community, especially its youth.

Moderator

Attorney Kannon Shanmugam, a Lawrence High School graduate who argues cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, was a wonderful speaker at the recent Lawrence Schools Foundation breakfast. Have you started recruiting for next year’s speaker?

Susan Esau

As a matter of fact, we have! Chuck Mead, lead singer for BR549, and a graduate of Lawrence High School class of 1979, has agreed to be the keynote speaker for the 2007 Community Breakfast. Expect a FUN event next year!

Moderator

How much of each dollar donated to the foundation is distributed to programs?

Susan Esau

Approximately 70 cents of every dollar donated directly supports our programs, with the balance used for our operating and fundraising expenses. We know it is very important to our donors to feel that their gifts are being used for our students and educators.

Moderator

I want to thank Susan for taking time today to answer questions about the Lawrence Schools Foundation. And I hope we can make plans in the future for another online chat.

Susan Esau

Thanks, Dennis. It was fun, and I’d love to do it again.