What is the Ainsworth Foundation?
The Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization created as a vehicle for raising private funds for teachers, assistants and specialists for Ainsworth.
Why do we need a Foundation?
When school funding was centralized in Salem in 1990, all districts lost the ability to set their own budgets and began to rely on the State government to allocate per pupil funding. The Foundation provides excess funding to reduce the impact of these budget changes.
What do Foundation donations buy?
In the past the Foundation has had a significant impact on staffing at Ainsworth, funding on average 20% of the teaching positions. The Ainsworth Foundation has helped reduce class size and fund teaching positions and programs like art, music, physical education, and reading support.
Who determines how the Foundation money is allocated?
The Ainsworth principal and Site Council allocate the funds raised. The Site Council is comprised of representatives of the teachers, staff and Ainsworth parents.
How does the Foundation raise money?
Direct donations
Proceeds from our annual events
What is Red Ball?
Our largest event of the year is Red Ball, a gala organized by the Foundation that includes silent and live auctions. This event raises a substantial portion of our annual funds and is vital to the success of the foundation.
How can I donate?
The Foundation welcomes direct donations at any time. Payments can be made by check or credit card and it is possible to pay in monthly or quarterly installments. Please click the donate button on our website. Funds you contribute directly to the Foundation are fully tax-deductible. The Foundation is a section 501(c)(3) corporation under the federal tax laws, and our Tax ID is # 9301148089.
What’s in it for me?
We are all responsible for ensuring continued academic excellence at Ainsworth. Without Foundation support, Ainsworth would have fewer teachers, larger class sizes and limited special programs like art, music, P.E., and library.
Is the foundation required to give some of our donations to Portland Public Schools?
Because not all schools can raise significant private money, the Portland School Board requires 1/3 of the funds after $10,000 raised by local school foundations in the Portland Public Schools District to be set aside in an equity fund administered by the Portland Schools Foundation. Ainsworth has historically been a major contributor to the Equity Fund. Last year we accounted for approximately 13% of the total funds contributed
