Accepts challenge from RI Foundation to raise $25,000

The people of South Kingstown have a challenge that could result in a $50,000 private endowment for the town’s public schools.
Organizers of the newly-formed South Kingstown Education Foundation (SKEF) have announced that The Rhode Island Foundation will match dollar for dollar the first $25,000 raised by local sources, to establish a permanent fund that will augment government support for South Kingstown schools. The resulting endowment will be housed at the Foundation.

SKEF President Sue Velicer explains that the group was established “to support educational projects and activities that inspire student excellence and strengthen the relationship between the public schools and the community.”

She emphasizes that SKEF dollars will offer private grants for projects, programs and services beyond those currently budgeted for students in South Kingstown’s public schools.

Joining Ms. Velicer on SKEF’s board are Gail Dromgoole, vice president; Henry Schwarzbach, treasurer; Diane Kern, secretary; and members Chris Little, Bill Metz, John Vincze, Jayne Bouchard, Jayne Richmond, Gerralyn Perry, and Marie Fonseca. Superintendent of Schools Robert Hicks serves ex officio.

The group has been organizing for nearly a year, notes Ms. Velicer, and has met with citizen groups in other school districts in the state – specifically Westerly and Chariho – which have established similar funds at The Rhode Island Foundation.

According to Ms. Velicer, SKEF has raised approximately $2,000 to date, largely from board members’ contributions, and is planning a number of events to enable them to meet the Foundation’s $25,000 challenge. The first event, a walking tour of historic homes of Kingston, is planned for October 19.

Ms. Velicer notes that SKEF hopes to meet the challenge by Spring 2004, enabling them to begin accepting proposals for projects to support. She said a key criterion for projects is that they bring the schools and community closer together.

Persons desiring additional information on SKEF should contact Sue Velicer at (401) 789-8062, or Kris Hermanns, program officer at The Rhode Island Foundation, at (401) 274-4564. Contributions to SKEF can be made by check payable to The Rhode Island Foundation and mailed to One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903. Questions concerning tax-deductible gifts of stock or mutual funds, as well as planned gifts, should be directed to Ms. Hermanns.