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Frequently Asked Questions Media Kit and Coverage Watauga Mountain Times - October 11, 2007 Sherrie Norris, Reporting. A new nonprofit group supporting education in the High Country will hold its first major event, a dinner, dance and silent auction, on Nov. 3 at the Meadowbrook Inn in blowing Roc,. The appalachian Foundation for Learning formed to supplement educational efforts in Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties. Dwight McKinney, foundation president, said the foundation will fund efforts in private, public and charter shcools, once it has raised seed money. The fondation will also accept grant applications from pre-schools. McKinney said he and other founding members formed the organization in response to a need they saw in the area. Tickets for the dinner are $45 for individuals and $80 per couple. The Appalachian Foundation for Lerning is a 501C3, all donaions are tax deductible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Dwight McKinney at (336)973-0851, Donald Treinen at (828)295-3369 or Natalie Lewis at (828)295-3785. Or, visit them on the web at appfound.org. High Country Press - October 11, 2007 Anna Oakes, Reporting A group of concerned parents and educators have created a new group, Appalachian Foundation for Learning, to support education in Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties. The nonprofit organization seeks to provide financial support through grants to institutions and individuals n the basis of merit and need. The group currently is focused on building its membership. "We're pretty fired up about this," said Dwight Mckinney, President of Appalachian Foundation for Learning. McKinney, a retired academic nephrologist, renal physiologist, professor of medicine and pharmaceutical company executive, said he sees the foundation as a way for him to continue to be involved in education. The foundation formed about a year ago. In addition to McKinney, the group's board of directors includes Donald Treinen, Vice President, and Natalie Lewis, Secretary. The Board meets quarterly. Treinen has more than 30 years of experience as chief executive officer of nonprofit and for-profit companies. He serves on the school board of Two Rivers Community School, a charter school in Watauga County. Lewis is a work-at-home mother with experience in management, construction and real estate. The Appalachian Foundation for Learning differs from the Watauga Education Foundation in that it supports programs at private and charter schools in addition to public schools, McKinney said. Its leaders say they would also provide grants to educational efforts by other organzations, such as a children's club. "There's more to education than just in the classroom" Lewis said. But, she said, the organzation would be delighted to partner with the Watauga Education Foundation on certain projects. "We hope to be complementary, not competitive," McKinney said. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process to educational projects that supplement - not supplant - programs already in school budgets, he said.Prospective applicants may download a grant proposal form from the organization's website. The group will raise money through membership dues and other fundraisers, including a dinner and dance on November 3. Membership levels range from $50 to $5,000. For more information, call McKinney at 336-973-0851 or click to www.appfound.org. (Note: The foundation created a student membership categor set at $25 per year, since this article appeared) ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` We have given our first grant to the Two Rivers Community School of Boone, NC. Foundation president T. Dwight McKinney presented the grant to Gary Childers, interim principal of the school at a ceremony held in February 2008.
Gary Childers, left; T. Dwight McKinney, right _______________________________
From the High Country Press April 17, 2008 (Anna Oakes reporting)
New Ed Foundation Awards Grant The Appalachian Foundation For Learning is a newly formed 501-c3 volunteer non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to support educational efforts, public and private, in Avery, Ashe and Watauga counties. The foundation recently made an award of $500 to Mountain Alliance to support its Rolling Academy program. Pictured are Natalie Lewis, secretary of the foundation, Todd Nolt (center), executive director of Mountain Alliance, and Dwight McKinney, president of the foundation. For more info, click to www.appfound.org. Media Kit Mission The Appalachian Foundation for Learning (The Foundation) was created by a group of concerned parents, and others, in the North Carolina High Country because they saw a need for financial support of educational institutions and individuals allowing them to take their education to a higher level. The Foundation’s mission is to support such educational efforts, on the basis of merit and need, using an objective set of selection criteria. Further, the Foundation will seek outside sources of finances through fund-raising events and membership contributions. Tax Exempt Status
The Foundation is considered a charitable organization under Section 501C3 of the Federal Tax provisions as administered by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America. The Foundation has also been granted tax-exempt status under the laws of the State of North Carolina. Organizations and individuals giving financial support to the Foundation may claim such support as charitable contributions for tax purposes. Membership in the Foundation
The Foundation governing Board has established membership categories, as follows:
Membership Fee Structure
Effective November 2006 and thereafter (until such time the Board changes the membership fee structure) shall be set as follows:
Other levels of contribution will be accepted by the Foundation. However, contributions other than the above do not constitute membership in the Foundation. The status of Founding Member is any organization or individual who makes a one-time contribution in the amount of $500.00, and further, makes such contribution on or before September 1, 2007. Contributions on a Targeted Basis
Any organization or individual may elect to stipulate a specific educational institution or individual to be solely eligible for such organization or individual’s contribution. The Foundation Board shall determine whether such stipulation conforms to the mission, rules and procedures of the Foundation, and shall also determine the timing and circumstances of use of such contributions. Overview of Selection process
The Foundation Board is responsible to establish and maintain a set of objective criteria upon which financial support will be given. Such criteria may include merit, need, and level of financial support without regard to amount of support requested, the degree to which multiple organizations and/or individuals are competing for available funds, and without regard to other factors which may come into play. The Foundation Board, in its sole and final discretion, makes all determinations regarding available funds, as long as it adheres to the wishes of contributors who have stipulated use of contributions. Foundation Officers
T. Dwight McKinney, M.D., President, 336-973-0851(home), 336-957-6285 (cell) Natalie Lewis, Secretary, 828-295-3786 (home) Donald Treinen, Vice President and Treasurer, 828-295-3369 (home), 561-389-4773 (cell)
Mailing Address
Appalachian Foundation for Learning, Inc. P.O. Box 2127 Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Making Contributions
Any organization or individual becoming a Foundation Founding Member or Lifetime Member will have its/his/her name carried on the official records of the Foundation in perpetuity. All contributions will be acknowledged with an appropriate receipt, either sent via electronic mail or by USPS. Such receipt may be used to prove a charitable contribution has been made to the Foundation. Contributions are to be made by bank draft or check, as follows: Payee: Appalachian Foundation for Learning, Inc. or AFFL Mailing address where contributions are to be mailed: AFFL % Treasurer Donald Treinen P.O. Box 2127 Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Appalachian Foundation for Learning? A. The Appalachian Foundation for Learning is a 501c3 non-profit, tax exempt organization created in 2006 Q. Why was The Appalachian Foundation for Learning created? A. The Appalachian Foundation for Learning was created to be a channel for public and other charitable giving in support of educational efforts in the “High Country” of North Carolina. Q. How was the Foundation created? A. The Foundation was the idea of a group of parents concerned with the quality of education. This group included current and past members of a local school board (Two Rivers Community School), advisors to that board, and local educators. The group wanted an independent educational Foundation created as a way to raise money in support of quality education in North Carolina’s ‘High Country’.
Q. How is the Foundation organized? A. The foundation is managed by a Board of Directors and Officers. There will be seven Directors and four Officers. Current Officers include:
T. Dwight McKinney, M.D., President. Dr. McKinney is a retired nephrologist, Professor of Medicine and pharmaceutical company executive. Donald E. Treinen, MA, CPF., Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Treinen is a retired executive of several firms, each with a strong educational mission. Mrs. Natalie Lewis, Secretary. Mrs. Lewis is a Real Estate Agent in Blowing Rock, NC Q. What institutions, organizations or individuals would be eligible for grants from The Appalachian Foundation for Learning? A. Any institution or organization whose primary purpose is education of the youth of the “high country” would be eligible on a competitive basis to receive grants from the Foundation. This would, for example, include public and private schools, kindergartens, etc. Also, individuals would be eligible based on financial need and merit. Q. From whom will the Foundation seek donations? A. Individuals, local, state and national businesses and philanthropic organizations may all contribute to the foundations in the form of several different membership categories. Q. How will eligible institutions become aware of the possibility of receiving grants from the Foundation? A. We have put together a communication plan which is being provided to local print, radio and television that will introduce the community to the Foundation. We will also inform specific eligible institutions and organizations of any funds that have been donated to the Foundation with requests that they be targeted to their institution or organization. Q. What is the process for making grants to an institution or individual? A. The details of the review process for approving grants are the responsibility of the Foundation Board. Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis by a group of individuals including members of the Board. Media Contact Information
For inquiries about the Foundation, media outlets may contact the Foundation as follows: Primary Media Contact is Donald Treinen. Mr. Treinen can be reached telephonically at 828-295-3369 or 561-389-4773. Mr. Treinen may be reached by email at: Don Treinen Alternatively, inquiries may be made to Dr. McKinney or Ms Lewis: T. Dwight McKinney, M.D. Doctor McKinney can be reached telephonically at 336-973-0851, or 336-957-6285. Dr. McKinney may be reached by email at: Dwight McKinney Natalie Lewis. Ms Lewis can be reached telephonically at 828-295-3786. Ms Lewis may be reached by email at: Natalie Lewis
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April 17, 2008 issue