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Chappaqua School Foundation, Inc.
Enriching the learning of our Chappaqua school children
Founded in 1993, CSF is a community-supported tax-exempt foundation that funds innovative educational programs not covered by the Chappaqua school district budget.
Purpose. CSF exists to enhance the educational experience of our children. Despite the Chappaqua school budget’s size and annual growth, the vast majority of budget expenditures are committed to such ‘fixed’ expenses as salaries, health and retirement benefits, building maintenance and bond amortization. Little remains for flexible investment in educational innovation.
CSF works to bridge the gap. Through the generous philanthropy of Chappaqua residents, CSF has provided funding for more than 100 pilot projects since its inception. Many of these projects, once tested and proven, were then adopted as part of the permanent school curriculum and budget. In essence, CSF provides ‘venture capital’ for new ideas ---- new ideas generated by teachers, administrators, students and parents.
CSF enriches the learning of students throughout the district. Just a few examples include the first SMART Board in a Chappaqua school (Westorchard); Geographic Information Systems and African Drumming at Greeley; Science Data Collection Probes at Bell; a Wind Tunnel and the Harlem Renaissance Library at Seven Bridges; the Climbing Wall and Weather Station at Westorchard; WRBS News Studio and Writing Genre Kits at Roaring Brook; the Jacob Burns Animation Project and the sound system at Grafflin; and the Kindergarten Bookpack at all three elementary schools.
By enhancing the school district’s capability to innovate, and like school foundations in neighboring communities (Armonk, Rye and Briarcliff, to name just a few), CSF serves a number of important purposes:
- In an increasingly global and competitive economy, the education and success of our children depend upon their exposure and adaptability to fresh ideas and challenges.
- Our district’s teachers and administrators derive motivation and fulfillment by knowing their creative ideas are encouraged and may be funded.
- As financial pressures on our school budget mount (e.g., from increasing costs such as salaries and health care, unfunded federal mandates and voter resistance to annual tax increases), exploratory innovative programs may be a likely target for cost reduction.
- Finally, the leadership and reputation of our schools certainly serve our children well, but also constitute an important basis for real estate value in our town. Chappaqua’s school district continues to be the major reason families move to town.
Grants. Each year, CSF issues a request for proposals. Teachers, administrators, students and parents are all encouraged to apply – always with the approval of the relevant principal. They must submit detailed applications outlining the proposed program, its benefits and cost. The CSF Board then evaluates all applications and awards grants based on criteria it has adopted and communicated.
CSF communicates regularly with the school district’s administration and Board of Education, seeking guidance regarding the district’s priorities and long-range strategic plans. (The Superintendent and a representative of the Board of Education are ex officio members of the CSF Board.) While CSF operates independently of the school district, it is cognizant of these strategic priorities in its grant-making process.
Further, CSF accepts targeted donations for specific projects that are approved by the CSF Board. For example, a donor recently pledged a large challenge donation for the expanded use of SMART Boards in our schools. Within a few months, CSF secured additional contributions that met the challenge. In the future, CSF believes targeted donations for specified projects will become an important source of funding for large and especially impactful programs.
Fundraising. CSF must raise all of the money it allocates in grants each year. The primary mechanism for doing this is its annual Spring Gala. Last year’s community-wide event celebrated the outstanding work that goes on in Chappaqua’s schools, and was an unprecedented fundraiser as well. With the inauguration of its 1st Annual “It Takes a Village” Award, CSF successfully demonstrated how so many from our “village” support our shared goal of educational excellence for all of our children.
CSF also hosts the annual Harlem Wizards Basketball Game, always a sell-out in late January at Greeley. In this festive community event, residents of all ages come out to cheer our team of teachers and administrators while generating financial support for CSF.
Finally, our Fall mail appeal and our Gift Card program generate additional revenue to help subsidize the important and timely programs sponsored by CSF.
About CSF. The CSF Board is comprised of a group of volunteer leaders from the community. In addition, many community members volunteer their time to help plan and implement CSF’s activities. At this stage, there is no paid staff (and no overhead costs).
CSF encourages all families whose children attend (or have attended) Chappaqua schools to support the Foundation, both financially and with their volunteer time, if possible. CSF is a 501(c)(3) foundation and all contributions to it are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
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