By Michelle Goudge - APEF Director
I am frequently asked, by both parents and staff, about what the American Preparatory Education Foundation (APEF) is and what it does. I’d like to give you an overview and share why our foundation is indispensable to our school and staff.
In a nutshell, APEF is the fundraising arm for APA schools. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that raises funds for capital improvements, program enhancements, and scholarships to students, parents, teachers, and staff connected with our schools. So, what does that mean?
Over the years, APEF has played a direct role in supplementing teacher and staff bonuses through the Builders Club, a subscription-based program allowing parents to contribute monthly to the fund that helps to pay these bonuses. The foundation also awards scholarships to the graduating Valedictorian and Salutatorian at each of our high schools. It maintains a Hardship Fund, which has given thousands of dollars to APA families, including teachers and staff, who are experiencing financial hardship. Currently, APEF is working on fundraising for the performing arts facility at the West Valley 2 campus. These are just a few of the ways that the foundation supports APA schools. To clarify any confusion that might exist in regards to “Friends of APA,” anyone who contributes to the Foundation through a donation becomes a “Friend of APA.”
[Add images of Builders Club, Valedictorian/Salutatorian, Hardship Fund, WV2 Performing Arts renderings]
The pandemic has had a significant impact on our foundation. Many fundraising events have been canceled since March, while the needs of many of our families have increased. This has led to a decrease in funds coming through the foundation, not only because fundraising activities have been canceled, but also because our families are facing uncertainty and many have chosen to suspend their monthly contributions to the foundation.
But the APEF hasn’t just seen the negative aspects of the pandemic. We’ve also seen the love and support of our APA families and communities. Our parents and staff stepped up and contributed to the COVID-19 Assistance Fund providing grants to APA families who were directly impacted by COVID-19. In addition to those contributions, we also received donations of computers and mobile hotspots from community members.
[COVID-19 contributions]
Another way that we were able to help our families impacted by COVID-19 was through the AmazonSmile program. Each quarter Amazon donates a portion of its sales to the foundation. These donations are from customers who have added APEF as their charity through Amazon Smile. Thousands of dollars that were donated through Amazon benefited families in need last year. If you haven’t added APEF to your Amazon account, please consider APEF as your charity. It’s such an easy way to give back to our schools without adding a penny to your spending! Please go to https://www.americanprepfoundation.org/amazon-smile for information and instructions for adding APEF as your charity.
The foundation recently held an outdoor Fall Boutique on the soccer field at the Draper 3 campus. 100% of the proceeds went to the Builders Club. As the daughter of a teacher, I am passionate about working towards paying our teachers what they are worth. And as many of you have heard me say, my #1 goal as the Executive Director of the Foundation is to find ways for the foundation to bring in additional funds to increase your bonuses. Please know that I support you and appreciate what you do, not only for my children - but for all of the students at APA schools.
[Add Outdoor fall Boutique pictures]
You can find more information about the foundation by going tohttps://www.americanprepfoundation.org/ and by liking our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/americanprepfoundation.