From The President
Scott Brown, President
Royal Oak Schools Foundation 2020 I didn't choose it, but this was a tough year to become President of the Royal Oak Schools Foundation. Early into the year, the COVID-19 Pandemic began and quickly all of our Fundraising and Philanthropy plans went out the window. We cancelled our largest fund raiser, what was to be the 27th annual Golf Outing. We also cancelled our Literacy project and popular Instrumental Music Jump Start program because without students at schools it was impossible to administer them. In addition, our board was too large to hold an in person meeting and quickly we had to aquaint everone with the Zoom Video conferencing app. Before we came up with a plan to replace our fundraising activity, we could see there was a lot of need in the school community. We saw two organizations that were helping despite the quarantine. Blessings in a Backpack Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Youth Assistance. Blessings in a Backpack delivers food weekly to those in need. Royal Oak Youth Assistance provides many services through direct grants to families in need in the Royal Oak School District. We provided $16,000 in donations to these two organizations when they needed it most and stand ready to help again if called upon. One of our board members noticed that the Farmer's Market was open but sparsley attended. She came up with the idea of the Farmer's Market Haul. We would go into the market safely, following all safety protocols, and pack a bag of fresh Michigan Vegetables to be delivered to anyone that wanted it (along with Salts, Syrup, Honey and Eggs). We charged a small premium and allowed for "Tips / Donations". It started slowly with 10 orders the first week but word got out and within weeks we had 50 orders and a small army of volunteers. We are nearing 100 orders per week and it looks like we will be able to continue or philanthropy and build the trust for the future. Coincidentally, the outbreak has had some positive affects on the Foundation. Our Zoom meeting attendance was better than the live meeting attendance! We have found a way of fundraising which is also a great way to promote the foundation in the community and many of our members, plus volunteers from the community gather together every Saturday morning to pack veggies, check in with each other and feel good volunteering ... all at a social distance. You can help the foundation with a direct donation, by ordering from the Farmer's Market Haul, by purchasing on Amazon Smile whenever you shop on line, or by volunteering to help us with the Market Haul. Whichever way you choose to help, we applaud it!! ABOUT THE FOUNDATION The Royal Oak Schools Foundation (ROSF) is a 501c.3 non-profit organization providing opportunities for Royal Oak Public Schools. Since 1993, we’ve played and increasing role to provide funding for school’s facilities, programs, scholarships and support for public schools youth. WAYS TO DONATE Making an Annual Investment with Direct Donations as a Friend of the Foundation, participating in ROSF Fundraising Activities or establishing an endowment with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM, visit https://cfsem.org/give/ ) is an important step in providing everlasting support to our Royal Oak Public Schools. In addition, over the last 8 years the Foundation has funded the Instrumental Music Jump Start program at $7,500 per year. (A very popular program!) This program provides all 5th graders with a beginning experience in Band & Orchestra, a discipline to carry throughout their High School years and many into college! We are also asking our business community to help us in our efforts to build a solid nonprofit enterprise for the next 25, 50, 100 years in contributing directly to our endowment with the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan (CFSEM). Call Kurt Von Eberstein at 248-914-2710 to see how YOUR FIRM can help! *Seek advice of your Tax Advisor on the NEW Donor Advised Funds (DAF) requirements before investing in our CFSEM Endowment or directly towards our RO Schools Foundation! |
Donate to the Foundation
Make a tax deductible donation through Pay Pal You can also contribute just by shopping at Amazon.com
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Since 1993, Our Mission:
The Royal Oak Schools Foundation is a charitable organization committed to enriching lives through enhanced educational opportunities for the Royal Oak Public School Community. Royal Oak Schools Foundation is an educational charity as defined by the IRS tax-exempt status 501(c)(3) © Copyright 1993-2021 Royal Oak Schools Foundation 800 Devillen, Royal Oak, MI 48073 |