Harris Connect

Directory Database Helps Foundation Raise Funds to Reinstate Programs Cut from School Budget

A new alumni directory database served as the catalyst for the Harborfields Alumni and Community Educational Foundation (HACEF), to raise over $30,000 to support the reinstatement of eliminated school programs, fund more than $19,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors, and provide several thousand dollars in grants to support district-wide programs, according to Maggie Boba, Founding President.

“The production of the directory helped to jump-start the foundation’s start-up, and fund raising efforts during the budget crisis. We were able to accomplish a great deal because of it,” said Boba. “In the spring of 2006, we announced the foundation with a brochure inserted directly into the first edition of the Harborfields Senior High School Alumni Directory. That got us off to a running start - we received $13,000 in donations in the first 10 days. In addition, we finally had a complete database to help us reach out to alumni.”

According to Boba, that year the Harborfields Central School District school budget was defeated, forcing the district into contingency, which eliminated extracurricular activities and middle-school level sports teams.

“It became more important than ever to spread the word to raise funds to get clubs and teams back for everyone. The foundation started a 'Save our Schools’ campaign,” she said. “The directory database provided the email addresses we needed to immediately and inexpensively contact alumni, and direct mailings went out to parents and community members. The response was overwhelming, and helped to restore eliminated programs and get off the contingency budget plan. It was a significant achievement.”

According to Boba, the foundation has also been quite successful at raising funds to accomplish its other goals:

♦ Scholarships for graduating seniors: Each year, HACEF has awarded scholarships to community-minded college-bound seniors.

♦ Grants to support school programs: Each year, the foundation awards several $500 grants to teachers to fund items not covered through the school budget.

♦ Establish an Outreach program for families in need. Starting with the 2006-07 school year, the foundation will award three scholarships to graduating seniors in financial need.

Boba explained that the alumni directory played a key role in igniting the fund raising efforts, and reconnecting alumni to the school district. “Alumni are thrilled with the book, and the whole process was seamless and painless thanks to the professionalism of Harris Connect,” she said. “As a result, we’ve gained the ability to communicate quickly and effectively with alumni for reunions and foundation news, and we raised a sizeable amount of funds to help get off the contingency budget. Without the directory, it would have been very difficult to do.”

“We felt very strongly that we should be helping students within the district who are impoverished,” said Boba. “Once the Outreach program was established, we sent an email to alumni, to announce the program and to thank them for participating.”