Enhancing the Education of All Our Children
Established in 2007, the New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership (NJEFP) was founded to support and assist local foundations in their quest to provide additional funding for public schools. Public schools have existed to ensure participation of an educated citizenry in our democratic society. While continuing this mission, the needs of public school students have changed dramatically over the last twenty-five years. Students must be prepared to navigate through an increasingly complex world. Technology advances alone have presented challenges that were nonexistent thirty years ago. And now…a public health pandemic that finds us establishing a “new normal”.
Public education impacts the community’s real estate values and more importantly the community’s quality of life.
New Jersey public schools are funded by state revenues and local property taxes. Over the last several years, state funding for public schools has been reduced and more recently held level. In order to slow the increase in local property taxes, school districts must now keep their budgets at or below a 2% annual increase (CAP). Forcing them to withdraw support for not only innovative, but often essential programs and projects because of reduced or level public funding. Envisioning the future for public school funding means recognizing that in order to maintain current programs and services other sources of funding must be found. Otherwise, that future will include an erosion of the excellent education that our public schools have delivered.
Fortunately, for many students in New Jersey public schools, committed volunteers including parents and community members have taken the initiative to create local education foundations that support their districts. These localized foundations provide funding for programs, services, equipment and facilities that the school districts can no longer afford to include in their budgets. The establishment of a foundation, if successful, can provide the school district with additional funding that can be used for a variety of purposes including innovation, pilot programs, technology, the fine arts, extracurricular activities as well as any other programs or services not able to be funded under the district’s budget. Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce, and they need much more than the three R’s to become productive members of the workforce in New Jersey and to compete in a global economy.
Local education foundations are most often made up of volunteers who want to make a positive impact on their community by supporting public education. As volunteers they often lack experience in managing a foundation, fund development and best practices in general. NJEFP fills this need by providing expert knowledge and support to start-ups, as well as continuing education for existing foundations. In addition, the ability for peer to peer discussions and assistance is invaluable.
This is done by:
Promoting collaboration and networking among local education foundations, board members, volunteers and staff. Throughout the year, member meetings are held, both virtually and one in-person meeting. These meetings provide opportunities for the sharing of ideas, networking and support. Webinars are also offered. Furthermore, NJEFP will be growing its online tools, like a Facebook MEMBERS ONLY group, so that there is more opportunity for ongoing conversation among members.
Providing assistance to local school districts, parents and community members in the creation, development and growth of their foundations through training and education in best practices, fund development, board management, governance, marketing and non-profit management. In the Members Only section of the NJEFP website, members can find many useful, vetted documents. These documents provide information on everything from establishing a non-profit to marketing and expanding a robust foundation. NJEFP is available to provide guidance. These combined member resources allow the local foundations to build their organizations soundly and appropriately, as well as increase their effectiveness.
Increasing knowledge statewide about the importance of local education foundations in New Jersey. NJEFP is committed to supporting its members through its own marketing and public relations campaign. These efforts reinforce the importance of district foundations through press releases, social media and representation at key conferences.
Collaborating with other statewide organizations committed to public education in New Jersey. Relationship building with key organizations in the State of New Jersey as well as across the nation is a priority. This effort allows NJEFP to provide its members with the most relevant and recent opportunities, and the sharing of best practices. Along with being the NJ State Affiliate for the National School Foundation Association, NJEFP has established an excellent working relationship with the Pennsylvania Education Foundation, NJ School Boards Association, and the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey.
Advocating for public education in the State of New Jersey. NJEFP believes in the power and importance of public education, and will work with government and other organizations to ensure that the state continues to see education as a top priority.
Now more than ever, the establishment of education foundations is critical for school districts to maintain and enhance the opportunities and experiences they offer their students, so that the public school students of New Jersey can remain competitive nationally as well as globally.
