Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What Does the VBCPS Education Foundation Do?
A: The Foundation serves as a gatekeeper and booster for additional funds and services that come into the school system through tax-deductible donations, gifts, bequests, and the like. Many "extras" staff development, pilot programs, minigrants for students and staff would not be possible were it not for additional funding granted by the Foundation.

Q: Why Was the VBCPS Education Foundation Started?
A: The Foundation was originally started in 1991-92 as an adjunct to the Department of Technical and Career Education as a way to partner business resources with specific programs in our schools. Because of its success, the Foundation has been expanded to include all students, K-12, in all academic, technical, and career disciplines.

Q: Who Decides How the Money is Spent?
A: The Virginia Beach Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, composed of 30 community leaders selected by their peers, approves all expenditures from the Foundation. They are responsible for screening of all proposals and are the final arbiters in decisions regarding The Foundation resources.

Q: How is the VBCPS Education Foundation Funded?
A: Community commitment to public education makes the Foundation possible. Citizens, parents, business people, the military all contribute to the Foundation through a myriad of ways. The Foundation benefits from direct contributions of money, goods, and services; from fund raising efforts; through partnerships and mentorships, to name just a few sources.

Q: How is the Money Spent?
A: All Foundation monies go directly back into our Virginia Beach City Public School System. Operational costs of the Foundation are very low and many expenses are underwritten by individual Board members or by businesses.

Q: How Does the Foundation Make a Difference... In Our Teachers?
A: Priority projects for the Foundation include staff development and funding grants for innovative projects. The Education Foundation makes possible many initiatives undertaken by individual employees or employee task forces all involving personal development or improvement classroom or teaching strategies.

Q: Can Anyone Else Mandate How the Money is Used?
A: Absolutely not! The Virginia Beach Public Schools Education Foundation funds are totally separate from the school system. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a discrete entity unto itself.

Q: How Does the Foundation Make a Difference... In the Community?
A: The economic vitality and quality of life in a community are directly liked to the quality of the educational system. Partnerships promote prosperity, and the public education of residents becomes the backbone of the future work force.

Q: How Does the Foundation Make a Difference... In Our Students?
A: Continuous improvement is the watchword. The Education Foundation provides monies and equipment for many "extras" inside and outside the classroom for all of our children kindergarten through grade 12. Our students today are our leaders tomorrow. That they have every possible advantage for success is the mission of the Foundation. We make a difference today, so they will make a difference tomorrow. Won't you help us in making that difference?

For more information please contact Deborah Thomas, Education Foundation Coordinator, at 757.263.1337 or e-mail debbie.thomas@vbschools.com.