What is the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation?
CUSF is an independent, non-profit, public foundation whose purpose is to enhance the quality of education in Champaign Unit 4 School District and Urbana School District #116. We do this through teacher-driven projects, district programs and community financial support. Teaching grants and directed gifts over the past 22 years have amounted to over $1 million with more than 750 grants awarded to teachers for their classrooms.
What are your main programs?
Currently we are focusing on four initiatives. 1. Splash grants are $500 mini-grants for teachers to use in their classrooms. Teachers apply on-line, purchase the items out-of-pocket and then are promptly reimbursed by CUSF. In just two years we’re invested nearly $280K into our classrooms with Splash grants. 2. Masters grants of up to $4,000 are awarded to educators for the purpose of enriching the quality of education in our local public schools. Applications are judged on demonstrated need, innovation, impact and quality of implementation planning. 3. Our CUScholars Program will encourage all of our high school students to take a rigorous curriculum so they are prepared for every kind of post-high school choice. We hope to launch this program in January 2011 in collaboration with both school districts, Parkland College and the University of Illinois. 4. The I.D.E.A. Store is a marketplace to donate and buy reusable materials of all kinds for creative re-use. Profit generated by this social enterprise will support CUSF.
How many children have benefited?
Tens of thousands of children of all abilities have directly and indirectly benefited from this influx of energy and capital. An interesting fact is that the awards frequently bring teachers together from different classes, buildings and even across districts. The shared energies of these collaborations multiply the benefits to students.
Do these programs really have an impact on the schools and children?
An inspired, supported teacher means an excited student. An excited student is ready to learn and can be reached in ways we can’t really measure. Many of our funded programs in recent years have been recognized as regional and state award winners. Such projects involve several teachers and staff, outside artists and community members, and outside organizations, such as the University of Illinois, local museums, or corporations and combined, touch the lives of thousands of students. These projects would not have happened in the same way, or at all, without CUSF.
Why don’t our tax dollars pay for what the teachers request?
Our tax dollars have not grown as fast as the demand and need for services within the schools. Schools are challenged to keep up with creative trends, new technology, and cutting-edge pedagogy while facing growth and facility challenges and the mandates of NCLB legislation. The state and federal governments have not kept pace with allocation of necessary funds. Community support is vital to offer superior programming in innovative ways.
How many endowment funds do you manage?
CUSF has 11 restricted funds and an unrestricted general endowment that supports the organization. Our restricted funds include: the Carle Foundation Fund for Educational Excellence, supporting teacher grants; the Junior League of Champaign Urbana Fund for Educational Excellence, supporting teacher grants; the Champaign Rotary Fund for Educational Excellence, supporting teacher grants; the Amberg Teaching Chair, supporting an awarded Urbana teacher; the Dan Perrino Urbana Bands Fund, supporting Urbana High School Band Scholarships; the Centennial Athletic Endowment Fund, supporting physical education equipment at Centennial High School; The Keegan Bannon Memorial Fund for a Central HS college scholarship; the Hester Suggs Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, supporting Champaign school programs that expand the Arts and Humanities for African-American children; the Orange Krush Fund, supporting teaching excellence; the Judge Fred Green Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Jeffrey Kaufman Memorial Fund. CUSF also manages the F. Lawrence Memorial Fund for UHS scholarships and a fund for the Urbana Alumni Association.
How will my CUSF donation be used?
Your donation to the CUSF Annual Fund will support our grants to teachers and CUSF operations. Our annual unrestricted endowment distribution, school district contributions, fees and interest also pay for CUSF operations. You may donate to the general endowment or to specific restricted funds to support teacher grants, scholarships and teacher awards. If you seek to support the schools with a directed gift and it supports the mission of the organization, it will be used for that restriction.
Where can I get more information about CUSF?
Check out our website: www.CUSchoolsFoundation.org! It has more information about who we are, our programs, how you can help and valuable information for teachers who are interested in applying for our funding!
