FAQ's
Q: What is The SunRidge Educational Foundation?
A: The SunRidge Educational Foundation (“SEF”) is a non-profit 501c3 organization whose sole mission is to support the financial needs of SunRidge School, similar to how a Parent Teacher Association (“PTA”) would function at other schools.
The SEF is administered by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and is outside the governance of SunRidge School. SEF Board meetings are typically held monthly and community members are encouraged to attend, either in-person or by joining via Zoom. SEF funds are raised through events like the annual Move-A-Thon and Silent Auction, and through grant writing, along with “angel donor” gifts.
In addition, the SEF acts as a tax-exempt vehicle for receiving electronic pledge payments which are then passed directly to SunRidge School.
Q: Who decides how funds are spent?
A: The SEF Board is charged with raising and dispersing SEF funds, and these decisions occur in open and public meetings. If the SEF Board has to take an action by email vote, these are generally reported at the next regular meeting and recorded in meeting minutes. The SEF Board works closely with SunRidge administration to determine school needs and how these funds can best support the school.
Q: How were funds spent in the last year?
A: Specific expenditures in the last year include: teacher trainings, athletics program support (including a coaching stipend), garden program equipment and materials, woodworking supplies, middle school ropes course enrichment, elective class supplies, district general fund which supports salaries, supported music program storage, curtain rod replacement in all classrooms, a director’s fund,landscaping improvements, and class materials. Past projects include the running track, the back basketball court, retrofitting the play structure, lunch area rainproofing and making the hillside playable. Expenditures are listed in the SEF’s minutes, which are posted on SunRidge Website, which leads to the SEF tab.
Q: What is the Annual Pledge?
A: The Annual Pledge is a family giving campaign that raises the funds necessary to make Public Waldorf education possible at SunRidge School. The SEF does not administer or disperse any pledge funds as these go directly to SunRidge School district general fund; SEF only assists with increasing awareness of the pledge program and passing through any electronic pledge payments made to SunRidge School. Pledge funds support speciality programs like handwork, gardening, woodwork, music and Spanish classes.
Q: Do other public schools request that all families make an annual pledge?
A: Yes! Many school districts, including local Public Waldorf schools, have an annual pledge to fund enriching curriculum and activities.
Q: Why does SunRidge School have an annual/monthly Pledge?
A: State funding is allocated per child and covers basic education costs but no specialty program costs. Families apply to and choose Sunridge because they want the specialty curriculum that is not being offered at other local public schools. In order to provide this rich Waldorf curriculum and education, SunRidge asks for a pledge, which is a fraction of a local private Waldorf tuition at roughly $24,000 per year.
Q: What if I cannot afford the suggested pledge amount?
A: Full participation, not the dollar amount, is our goal. While the suggested amount is what is needed to cover costs, all contributions–no matter the amount–are welcome and greatly appreciated.
Q: Is my Annual Pledge donation tax deductible?
A: All donations made to the SEF are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Similarly, the SEF can provide a statement of giving for any annual pledge funds given to SunRidge School. The SEF Tax ID# is 20-8406930.
Q: How is the Annual Pledge different from money raised at the Move-A-Thon?
A: The Annual Pledge goes directly to SunRidge School as a monetary gift, whereas funds raised through SEF events like the Move-A-Thon support the SEF’s General Fund. As described, SEF funds are then dispersed by the SEF Board in open and public meetings to support the financial needs of SunRidge School beyond pledge and state funding.
Q: How can I get involved with the Foundation?
A: The process of joining starts with emailing sef@twinhillsusd.org and expressing your interest. You’ll be invited to attend an SEF meeting and be asked to write a short introduction and intent letter. Then the Board will vote on adding you. Meetings are typically the last Monday of the month, from 5:30-7pm at the SunRidge Library.
Q: What other ways can I help the SEF’s mission?
A: We welcome stock donations, employer matching contributions, volunteer labor and grant-writing efforts, as well as consultation on planned projects. To share your talents, a community skills and knowledge survey is available at this link.
