Serving on the Board and as a volunteer for this Foundation has been time well spent for me. I love the impact we make in student education by being able to directly support their classrooms. Our grant program has grown by leaps and bounds in the last several years. In 2013 we awarded almost twenty thousand dollars to classroom teachers/staff which was only possible due to the fantastic support of our community!!
Please contact us directly for any financial information, we are excited to share our success!
Email: finance@betheleducationfoundation.org
Phone: 541-687-1445
or
Write to: 4640 Barger Dr, Eugene, OR 97402
I've volunteered to help raise money for the Bethel Foundation in the past, but became concerned when I was asking questions about where all this money was going. It really appears they raise far more than what is given out to our local schools.
They have been unwilling to provide reports on where the money goes, is it going into salaries for the staff or into a trust for future use? At this point I would discourage others from donating until they provide this information.
Being a new nonprofit is an exciting and challenging venture. Knowing that you are working for the enrichment of opportunities for children in your community is a fulfilling and rewarding experience—however, not without its challenges.
I would like to thank Ms. McLeod for her comments on how we could better improve access to our financial information. Due to her suggestions, we will be adding a financial section on our website, as well as, making sure donor guidance sites are updated with our latest information. I would be remiss to not acknowledge our efforts to communicate Ms. McLeod’s request for information.
Email was given as the form of contact with our board of director president taking action by emailing an apology this past summer with the explanation that the initial person contacted for information was no longer a Bethel Education Foundation board member. Our foundation does not qualify to complete a 990 form due to amount of funds stipulated by IRS rules, therefore, there is not one available. We did attempt twice to email financial information that we do have to Ms. McLeod several months ago with no response. Perhaps a spam blocker caught our communications and Ms. McLeod did not see them.
We are pleased to announce that just this week we will be awarding nearly $20,000 to local educators and that we consider it a privilege and honor to be an organization founded by a group of passionate and dedicated volunteers to enhance and enrich the lives of the students who live in the Bethel School District. We would love to share with you the great things being done by Bethel Education Foundation, our exciting plans for 2014 and into the future, and tell you how you can join us and watch us grow! Please visit us at betheleducationfoundation.org. Jennifer Jacobson, Executive Director, Bethel Education Foundation
I have received a grant from this organization. They were more than helpful and awarded the grant with so much enthusiasm! They even had the high school band following them around to award the grant! The benefits that come from this organization and go directly to our kids are immeasurable! Way to go BEF! I can't wait to see the results for this year!
I am a Bethel teacher who would like the community to know that the Bethel Education Foundation is run by an upstanding group of committed parents. For one moment do not doubt that every penny (Minus a small percentage for administrative costs such as bulk postage and printing costs for campaign mailings) doesn't go where it's supposed to. Which is Into as many classrooms as possible!
Just ask any Bethel teacher . . . we will tell you, the Bethel Education Foundation is a committed, dedicated partner to each and every Bethel school. Without the BEF many of our kids would have missed out on books, field trips, technology, and curriculum (plus much more!).
Do the research yourself, go to the BEF website, talk to Bethel teachers or administrators. Then take a turn at making a difference; make your donation to the BEF and help Bethel schools.
My experience with the Bethel Education Foundation is extremely positive. They make themselves present and available in our district school buildings constantly. They put in countless hours as VOLUNTEERS (most are parents of students in our district or school board members) to make the program successful. They truly care about Bethel students and families, and want to ensure that Bethel students have the resources necessary for a successful education.
Thousands of dollars have been put back into our schools and invested in our students due to BEF's tireless efforts. Every penny goes to Bethel students. Unfortunately state education funding is not adequate for maximum student success. The BEF has filled so many funding gaps through grants. As a teacher in the district, I can honestly say that our students and staff would be without adequate resources, if it were not for BEF.
Last year the BEF granted over $17,800 in resources for our students and schools. These resources included technology, books, field trips, gardens, instruments, clubs, learning centers, classroom supplies, and many other necessary educational tools. Without funding from BEF, Bethel students would have to do without these valuable resources. This year nearly $20,000 in grants will be put back into classrooms and schools for Bethel Students.
All of the information about BEF is public, and available upon request. This is a credible organization that helps hundreds of students each year! Teachers and Students of Bethel ask for your support of BEF.