Igniting Educational Excellence: Valerie Foster on Leading the Sanger Education Foundation and Its Impact on Community

Have you ever met someone whose dedication transformed a volunteering gig into a journey of leadership and impact? That's the story of Valerie Foster, Executive Director of the Sanger Education Foundation, who joined us to unravel the tapestry of her work and the foundation's pivotal role in propelling Sanger ISD's educational programs forward. Valerie's narrative is one of passion and perseverance, guiding us through the meticulous process of awarding scholarships and grants that bolster academic excellence and sustain community initiatives. The foundation's vision is a beacon, shining a light on the importance of private funding and community involvement, ensuring that Sanger's educational legacy continues to flourish.

Step inside the fervor of the Sanger Education Foundation's upcoming gala, an event that promises to be a highlight in the community's calendar. Whether you're looking to lend a hand, contribute to a cause that nurtures future generations, or want to be part of a legacy that echoes in the halls of education, Valerie illustrates the myriad pathways to get involved. As the gala's preparations gain momentum, we uncover the essential role of volunteers and the unique opportunity for families to create lasting legacies through endowments. It's a revelatory behind-the-scenes glimpse into a foundation that, while operating independently from the school district, is inextricably woven into the fabric of Sanger's educational aspirations. Stay tuned as we continue to journey alongside the Sanger Education Foundation, heralding the achievements of its scholars and the success of its schools.

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org

Transcript

John Noblitt: 0:08

Welcome to the 266 Express. I'm John Noblitt, here with my co-host, Donna Green. Donna, who do we have with us today?

Donna Green: 0:15

Today we have Ms Valerie Foster. She's the executive director of the Sanger Education Foundation.

John Noblitt: 0:20

Welcome, Valerie Well good morning.

Valerie Foster: 0:22

How are you?

John Noblitt: 0:22

Great, it's great to have you Tell us a little bit about the Sanger Education Foundation and what was created.

Valerie Foster: 0:30

Well, the foundation is a public 501c3, a public nonprofit created to support the Sanger IC through instructional academic programs that enrich our learning environments. We do that by building a strong community support for public education. We also recognize creative and educational activities while creating a perpetual source of funding for future programs or to keep these programs in our community through our schools Wonderful.

Donna Green: 0:56

So how did Valerie herself get involved with the education foundation?

Valerie Foster: 0:59

Oh well, I was a volunteer in the school district for many years when my children were in school and then in 2005, I realized that there was other ways that we could support the district. And what were those other ways? So I had a conversation with Jeff Springer. Jeff at the time had his mother's scholarship and was looking for a permanent home for that scholarship. So Jeff and I kind of compared notes and started doing some research. Like I said, this was back in 2005. And on our research we realized that there was education foundations out there for K-12. And so we went and started doing that research. And we actually went to Austin and attended a conference for educational foundations and realized this was the best fit for Sanger School District and so we started that process, created a steering committee and were officially recognized as a 501c3 through the IRS in 2007. So it just kind of came together. We had our superintendent was very supportive of it and the school board got behind it and said let's get this going for our community. So that's how it kind of got started.

John Noblitt: 2:00

Now it kind of goes a little further back. For you, though, right. You're not just the foundation executive director there, you're a Sanger native, right.

Valerie Foster: 2:11

No, I'm not from Sanger. I got here as fast as I could, moved here in 1981. And, like I said, just got kind of involved with my children in school and through that we just realized that Sanger was a great place to be. This is where we wanted our family and so we just kind of jumped in and the way to do that was just volunteering through the school district. There wasn't a lot of other opportunities for us to get engaged other than through the school district.

John Noblitt: 2:38

Other than through the school.

Valerie Foster: 2:39

So that's how we kind of got started and I just I love this community. Both of my children graduated from here and we're still here.

John Noblitt: 2:48

Yeah, awesome. Going back to the foundation, what is the actual purpose of the foundation? Because I know some people don't realize what the foundation actually is.

Valerie Foster: 3:02

Right. So the purpose of the foundation is to introduce and support funding initiatives designed to strengthen the quality of education in Sanger ISD. I actually, when I was volunteering I got hired by the school district to be the first community outreach liaison for the school district and then that kind of manifested into the homeless liaison for the school district. So I actually retired from Sanger ISD after 20 years working with them and was assigned with the through the foundation or through the school district, to be the liaison for the foundation and then the foundation asked me to serve as that executive director. So we've always seen the purpose of the foundation is to come back in and support the school district in a multitude of means. However, that looks like Helping with the community outreach programs, helping with just develop school you know the school programs or come back and enrich those processes. But it really is designed to strengthen the quality of education in Sanger through community input and keep that community tied into the schools.

Donna Green: 3:58

Wow, so Thank you. I know that it's that you support the schools, but how do you do scholarships? There's grants. Can you kind of tell us about that for the people who don't know?

Valerie Foster: 4:11

So we do have the ability to fund scholarships through. We saw the scholarship piece as an opportunity to service our community. There was a lot of scholarships established in Sanger that were just paid for annually. They just fundraised and they paid for it. But some of them had gone back into the 1940s and 50s and they were those individuals were deceased now and so the people that supported them and we didn't want those scholarships to go away. So we felt like if we offered, provided an opportunity for the community to have permanent scholarships representative of the historical people in the community, that was a service we could do.

Valerie Foster: 4:51

So we do have the scholarship piece and those are funded through endowments. Then on, in addition to that, we have instructional initiatives, which is where individuals, all of our unrestricted funds can go to pay for instructional academic programs, and those directly impact every student in the school district through teacher grants and the teachers submit an application to us, they give us their creative and innovative ideas. We take that and you know, process that and we are able to make those awards through, either through the endowment process or through unrestricted funds that come in.

John Noblitt: 5:23

How do you receive your funds? How does that work for the foundation?

Valerie Foster: 5:26

Well, 100% of what we fund is 100% is through individuals, private businesses, businesses or private family foundations. We don't receive any other support other than directly through the public in some form or fashion. So you know just, it really is a business that is designed to create that perpetual source of funding so that after we're all long gone, they're still funding available through those endowments to be able to pay for programs or fund those programs as they become available or to keep them currently there. So, but it's 100% funded by the public.

Donna Green: 6:01

So how was the process of? When someone applies for a grant or a scholarship? What's the process that it goes through? Who choose? Who decides whether they get it or not?

Valerie Foster: 6:13

That's a great question, because it really is.

Valerie Foster: 6:15

We are very regimented through our policy and procedures.

Valerie Foster: 6:20

So we have a committee that comes through that we put together on annual basis that does a blind review of all of our applications, whether they're instructional grants or scholarships, and through that blind review they have a rubric that they score.

Valerie Foster: 6:33

So it's a very unbiased process that they review those scholarships and grant applications Through that scoring process. Then they come back together and they start talking about what their scores are in those applications and we basically have a budget every year of how much funds we can put out for scholarships and how much we can put out for instructional initiatives and we start awarding to. We've spent every penny that we have available to them. But it is a process that goes through a blind review. The committee is comprised of a variety, a broad spectrum of community volunteers, business owners, it could be retired teachers, I mean it's just. It's a very broad spectrum of volunteers that we form every year to take on that process and it's a tedious process because they don't know who the campuses are, they don't know who the students are. They just are looking at an application on a piece of paper and just scoring it blindly and using that rubric to base those decisions on.

John Noblitt: 7:31

That's interesting. So is the Sanger Education Foundation. Is it a function of the ISD?

Valerie Foster: 7:38

No, we are completely separate from the school district. The only thing that we do, we have the school district give us our strategic plan and we ask the teachers, when they're applying for a grant application, that it aligns with their strategic plan, so that we're not doing something that's totally out of character for the school district. But no, the foundation is a completely separate 501C through entity that's just designed to support the school district.

Donna Green: 8:03

So, speaking of funding, one of the things you guys do is you have a big gala every year, so you don't wanna tell us about that, how it started and how it's morphed over the years.

John Noblitt: 8:13

And when it's coming up. That's what I wanna know.

Valerie Foster: 8:16

It's coming up really quickly. It's Friday, march the 1st, and the gala is our one annual fundraiser. We don't wanna do a lot of fundraisers, we just we really focus in on just this one annual gala. It brings about 320 to 350 people together for one evening to celebrate and recognize some of the grants that they've made possible, but also to encourage them to get involved with the schools.

Valerie Foster: 8:40

So the gala this year we're changing it up. We've got a new venue, we're doing a new catered sit down meal, we've got some great activities to go along with that. But 100% of the proceeds that we raised that evening goes directly back into the classroom, either in instructional initiatives or in a scholarship form. So and we take great pride in that that we're able to fundraise and really show the impact that a $1 can make in a classroom, or it doesn't matter to us it's not the size of the gift that matters, it's that every gift matters and you collectively add those together and they make a huge impact. But the gala is just a great way just to bring everybody together stakeholders that have a footprint, singer or want to be engaged in a singer or just wanna know more about the schools. So it's just a wonderful way that we can just celebrate one evening and raise a significant amount of funds to really impact what we do, moving forward.

John Noblitt: 9:33

How are you doing with tables and tickets and things like that for the gala? Is there an opportunity for people that may be listening to this in February to still participate in the gala?

Valerie Foster: 9:47

Yes, they can come to the Sanger Education Foundation's website is sangreeducationsfoundationorg and they're able to see right there at the top of the page how to get tickets. Tickets are currently available. We'll be delivering those tickets about February 15th or so, so or they can just contact us at the foundation office. We're located at 400 Boliver Street, suite 102 in the Wolfong Building. They can come by and visit with us or they can check online or they can email me directly and we can go from there. But we can get them tickets if they wanna come.

John Noblitt: 10:18

Is that also? Are those the same avenues they would do for any other donations or funding that they might be willing to do?

Valerie Foster: 10:25

Yeah, it's all available on our website. They can make any kind of donation. They can see the different endowments that we have or, if they wanna, maybe create their own endowment. Maybe there's something that they're passionate about that they wanna preserve in the Sanger and leave a footprint as well. We can certainly visit with them about that. But all that information is on our website. We keep that very current. So again, it's just coming to the Sanger Education Foundationorg website and reach out to us and we can help them. Anyway, we're also accepting currently the donations for our silent and live auction items for the Gala. So if you're a business and would like to get your exposure out there about the um make possibly making a donation of some type for this Gala, just give us a call or come, reach out to us through our email.

Donna Green: 11:07

So I know you do the monetary donations, but what are the other ways that people who want to get involved could support if they didn't want to do the financial piece?

Valerie Foster: 11:16

One of the best ways and what we're always seeking is volunteers. There are lots of ways that they can volunteer. Our board is comprised of non-board members. They're all volunteers, but in that under our board we have subcommittees. Those subcommittees there's five and we're always seeking volunteers for those committees. We're looking at your time and your talent because we are a business and so we're, and we're very much governed by that. We have an administration committee that looks over all of our governance. We have an investment committee that looks over the investments and the financial part of the foundation. We have a programs committee that helps us set those programs and identify what programs we're going to be funding with the school district and also kind of look over the scholarship applications and the instructional grant applications. Then we have a development committee that works on all of our development, kind of like what you do here at Donham with the city what programs, what events are we going to do, what activities?

Valerie Foster: 12:09

During COVID we decided that there needed to be a platform for the city to get information out and the school district to get information out. That's when we launched our lunch you know lunch with both entities. That became a huge part of just getting a service out back to the community to say these are this is Sanger. Our city and our school district is the reason we're here. But they needed a platform to get information out. That's the development committee. They look at what we can do to continue the foundation's work. Then we have a marketing committee that really puts out what the marketing looks like and how we get the word out. A lot of folks don't understand, don't know about the foundation yet, even though we've been here almost 20 years. So just trying to get the word out about the foundation and what the foundation can do for individuals and our students.

John Noblitt: 12:58

I think it's fantastic and it's super interesting to me because you've heard me say it, everybody's heard me say it strong schools, strong chambers, strong cities make strong communities. You guys do a fantastic job with what you do, because a lot of people don't realize that, in order for the city to function correctly, for their school or a chamber to function correctly, there are a lot of people on the outside doing things that may not be part of the corporate entities proper, but they're supporting them at a high level, much like the foundation does with the ISD. And so you know, I for one am very appreciative for organizations and foundations like yours that have committed to what can sometimes be a really challenging market to make sure that the tools and resources are available for the teachers and the administration there at the school to provide a high level of education and leadership to the community.

Valerie Foster: 13:55

Well, thank you, it is an honor. And those committee members I mean that represents about 50 to 60 volunteers that just come in and agree to serve a one-year term just to help us out and fill in those needs, and so whatever that looks, and then from there we build our board members. But we see it as a way to give back to our community. And the Sangra Education Foundation is kind of unique because we are modeled after a university or you know the university model that we are able to do the endowments so individuals can leave a family legacy if they want. Right now I think we have 37 different endowments that have different initiatives, whether some are for scholarships, some of them might be career and technology, some of them might be just for basic elementary education, you know, but it is whatever an individual wants and we just feel like it is an honor and a service that we can provide back. And again, we are all volunteers. So it is amazing what volunteers can do and, like I said, we have just been blessed.

Donna Green: 14:52

So is there anything else that if you wanted the people to know about the education foundation that they probably don't know? You guys do so much, but what's something you might want to leave them with to say we also do this, this and this?

Valerie Foster: 15:06

Well, like I said, the foundation is a private entity from the school district, so we're located here on the Wolfong Building.

Valerie Foster: 15:13

We're totally self-supportive. We have been amazed and very honored that we've had businesses step up and say you are a business, so can we provide your office equipment, can we provide services for you to help you run that business, and through that we've had in-kind donations come through that have helped us really keep the money going towards the students and that's been a privilege. Since we've started we've awarded back about $1.2 million back to Sanger ISD and when I talk to other foundations they look at Sanger and they're Really I mean, but that's, it is a reflection of this community and how giving they are. And I think when you've been in Sanger for a little while you realize that Sanger is a very unique community in that it supports itself. It really does support any kind of need that comes out. People just rally because they love that hometown feel and I commend you both for helping create that and perpetuate that hometown feel of Sanger because it really is a very unique, strong community. As you say, when you're here you're home.

John Noblitt: 16:21

Well, Donna, what do you think?

Donna Green: 16:23

I'm ready for the foundation. I know what some of the stuff that they're giving away is. Yes, I'm all in yes.

Valerie Foster: 16:31

We have some new things coming out this year, so keep an eye out, for there's going to be a golden ticket. It's only going to be available for 100 individuals to go First 100 people. Yeah, so it's a lot of fun stuff it's a Willy Wonka.

John Noblitt: 16:43

It is a Willy Wonka. I do appreciate that a lot of the foundation functions do revolve around food.

Valerie Foster: 16:49

We talked about that a little earlier.

John Noblitt: 16:52

For a large man. It brings happiness and joy in a lot of ways. Valerie, thank you so much for being here today.

Valerie Foster: 16:59

Welcome. Thank you for having us today. We really appreciate the opportunity to get information out about the Sanger Education Foundation Absolutely.

John Noblitt: 17:06

Yeah, anytime, we hope you come back, maybe after the gala, and you can tell us how well you did.

Donna Green: 17:11

We can do that.

John Noblitt: 17:12

Yeah, awesome Donna.

Donna Green: 17:15

Well, thank you all for listening to the 266 Express. I'm Donna Green, with my co-host, john Noblett.

John Noblitt: 17:21

That's it. Thank you for joining us, listening in to what's going on in our small little north Texas town.