Resources for Local Education Foundations
The following publications and services are just a phone call or e-mail away. Contact the Foundation by phone (405)236-0006, FAX (405)236-8590 or email info@ofe.org if your LEF Board would like to request a consultation with or presentation by the LEF Outreach Director.
Also available are:
- A list of names, addresses and phone numbers of all LEF presidents in Oklahoma (available for Oklahoma LEF Presidents only)
- More in-depth information on the structures and practices of LEFs across the state
- Suggestions on speakers
- Sample "trustee notebook"- the best way to preserve the continuity of LEF operations
- More sample brochures
- More sample grant applications
- Additional fundraising ideas and projects
- Sample LEF newsletters, factsheets, and other printed materials
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
A congressional act designed to promote accountability and responsibility among America’s corporations is also impacting some nonprofit practices. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, also known as the American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act, has two provisions that apply to nonprofits.
1. Whistleblower Protection – All organizations are required to have a written whistleblower policy, which prohibits an organization from retaliating against an individual who reports suspected illegal activity. Nonprofits should develop policies and procedures that provide a confidential avenue for reporting and investigating suspected waste, fraud or abuse. Employees and volunteers should be informed of the policy.
2. Document Retention Policy – Sarbanes-Oxley makes it a crime to alter, hide, destroy or falsify documents to prevent their use in litigation or official proceedings. Organizations are advised to create written policies for document retention and destruction. Applicable documents include but are not limited to financial documents, donor records and correspondence, employee records, legal contracts, requests for proposals.
There are many other provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley that foundations may want to consider and adopt as best practices. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence recommends that foundation accountants and attorneys review the legislation and how it might apply to their organization.
More detailed information and resources on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its implications for nonprofits are available from Karen Rose at (918) 743-5533 or e-mail krose@ofe.org, or visit www.wiggin.com to read an article by attorney David E. Olrmstedt on the relationship of Sarbanes-Oxley to nonprofits.
Below are samples from the Oklahoma Foundations for Excellence to use as a reference when establishing policies for your LEF.
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy
Conflict of Interest Policy
NEW and UPDATED Online Resources
Whether you’re looking for fundraising ideas, board-development strategies or detailed information on how to start a local education foundation, there are numerous resources available on the Internet.
LEF INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATIONS
www.ofe.org – The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Web site has comprehensive information on how to organize an LEF, the characteristics of successful LEFs, fundraising and publicity ideas, and more. Also find online copies of The LEF Leader and other OFE publications.
www.corpschoolpartners.org – The Council for Corporate & School Partnerships serves as a forum for the exchange of information, expertise and ideas to ensure that partnerships between businesses and schools achieve their full potential for meeting key educational objectives.
www.schoolfoundations.org – The National School Foundation Association provides tools and resources to promote the organization, development and success of school foundations (k-12) and their partnering schools and school districts.
www.publiceducation.org – The Public Education Network (PEN) is a national association of local education foundations and individuals working to advance public school reform in low-income communities across our country. Here, you'll find tools, publications and resources for improving public schools.
www.rovinseducationalgroup.com – The Rovins Educational Group provides tools and resources to help educational foundations raise funds and to help citizens improve educational outcomes for children.
Find out what local education foundations are doing in other states. Check out these links to the Connecticut Consortium of Education Foundations at www.ctcef.org, the California Consortium of Education Foundations at www.cceflink.org, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations at www.cfef.net and the Indiana Association of Public Education Foundations at www.inapef.org.
The following local education foundatons outside of Oklahoma are excellent resources in many areas, including fundraising and Web site development.
www.lexedfoundation.org – Lexington Education Foundation in Lexington, MA
www.foundationforlps.org –- The Lincoln Public Schools Foundation in Lincoln, NE provides different methods for soliciting donations, encouraging planned giving and meeting specific needs in the classroom through Fund-A-Need.
NONPROFIT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
www.sarkeys.org – The Sarkeys Foundation of Norman offers numerous services and resources for nonprofit organizations, including training opportunities for staff, volunteers and board members.
www.centerfornonprofits.us – The Center for Nonprofits offers resources and dozens of training programs for nonprofit supporters at its Oklahoma City and Tulsa locations. Training schedules and registration information are available online. Also includes a helpful self-assessment for nonprofit organizations.
www.boardsource.org – Touted as the Internet’s premiere source for building strong and effective nonprofit boards, this Web site features an online bookstore, training opportunities, board Q& A and new topic papers created by BoardSource consultants.
www.guidestar.com – A national database of nonprofit organizations with information and services for nonprofits and donors.
www.cfok.org – The Communities Foundation of Oklahoma offers matching grants for local education foundations that establish their endowments there and offers a special granting initiative for those LEFs with assets of $100,000 or more.
Oklahoma’s community foundations administer charitable funds to serve the community. They also provide grants and other services for local nonprofits. These include the Oklahoma City Community Foundation at www.occf.org, the Enid Community Foundation at www.enidcommunityfoundation.com and the Norman Community Foundation at www.normancf.org.
www.irs.ustreas.gov/charities/index.html – The Internal Revenue Service provides information here for charitable organizations, including how to apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
www.allianceonline.org – The Alliance for Nonprofit Management offers online publications and a variety of services. Their FAQs section gives detailed information on such topics as financial management, strategic planning and fundraising.
www.fdncenter.org – The Foundation Center is a national organization that provides information and resources for both grant seekers and grantmakers.
ONLINE FUNDRAISING AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
www.classroomclassifieds.com – Classroom Classifieds provides a web-based classified advertising service through which people can donate proceeds to benefit public schools.
www.giftsinkind.org – Gifts in Kind is a conduit for the donation of products, goods and services from the private sector to the charitable sector. Nonprofits can register on this Web site to receive donated computers, office equipment, Web site design services and more. Last year, the organization distributed more than $675 million dollars in in-kind gifts to over 50,000 charitable nonprofits around the world.
www.networkforgood.org, www.groundspring.org and www.schoolfoundations.org – These e-philanthropy services provides low-cost web services for nonprofits to collect online donations, recruit volunteers or send mass e-mails.
www.techsoup.com – This Web site offers technology information and resources, including donated and discount software packages, for nonprofits.
MENTORING RESOURCES
Eight Steps Your LEF Can Take To Promote Mentoring – The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is encouraging Oklahoma’s 200 Local Education Foundations to become leading advocates for mentoring in Oklahoma’s public schools.
www.bbbsa.org – Founded in 1904, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America is the nation’s premiere mentoring organization. This Web site provides a variety of mentoring resources, research on the impact of mentoring, volunteer links and more.
www.mentoring.org – MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership is a national advocate and resource for the expansion of mentoring initiatives nationwide. This Web site features a national database of mentoring programs and provides support and tools that mentoring organizations need to effectively serve young people in their communities.
www.mentoring-association.org – The International Mentoring Association Web site provides mentoring FAQs, a Body of Knowledge database, mentoring consultants and trainers, and other information on how to establish effective mentoring programs.
www.nwrel.org/mentoring – The National Mentoring Center Web site offers a start-up toolkit for creating a safe and effective mentoring program, a mentoring listserve, lending library, training resources and more.
www.smarttogether.org – The Strategic Learning Center promotes academic and lifelong success and self-sufficiency in youth through programs in tutoring, mentoring and professional development.
GRANT INFORMATION
www.alphasmart.com/alphagrants – AlphaSmart's AlphaGrants Program is designed to help K-12 schools implement classroom technology solutions that improve the teaching and learning environment in math, science, and language arts.
www.att.com/foundation – The AT&T Foundation supports initiatives that focus technology and innovation on improving the quality of life in communities served by AT&T. Support covers three primary areas: Education, Civic & Community Service, and Arts & Culture.
www.bmtfoundation.com – The Beaumont Foundation of America's Education Grants are available for eligible public, private, charter, and parochial schools serving underprivileged populations.
www.bestbuy.com – Best Buy’s te@ch program rewards schools that are using interactive technology to make learning fun for kids.
www.grants.gov – Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies.
www.schoolgrants.org – SchoolGrants was created in 1999 as a way to share grant information with PK-12 educators. Finding suitable grant opportunities requires a great deal of time and research. SchoolGrants reduces the effort by listing a variety of opportunities available to public and private nonprofit elementary and secondary schools and districts across the United States.
www.teachersnetwork.org – Grants for Teachers is one feature of Teachers Network, a nationwide, non-profit education organization that identifies and connects innovative teachers exemplifying professionalism and creativity within public school systems.
www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/resources – Children's Music Workshop's Grant Center provides online resources for music education grants.