FAQs
What is the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation?
The DMSEF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to provide resources to support and enhance educational programs and opportunities for the students in the Del Mar Union School District. The Foundation was founded to raise the necessary funds to provide Del Mar students with enrichment programs such as science, music, art, technology and physical education. The vision of the Foundation is that every student attending elementary school in the Del Mar Union School District with have the opportunity to receive a premier education. The Board of the Trustees of the Del Mar Union School District has designated the Foundation as the primary fundraising entity for the District.
Who runs the Foundation?
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of parent volunteers from each of the elementary schools in the Del Mar Union School District, as well as members of the community. The nominating committee of the Board of Directors identifies volunteers each spring to serve for 1 or 2-year terms. The Board is responsible for all business of the Foundation, including communications, finances, and budgets, and the Foundation’s annual financial statements are audited each year by a firm of certified public accountants. The Board meets at regularly scheduled, monthly meetings that are open to all members of the community.
How does the Foundation raise money?
The Foundation seeks contributions from parents and corporate sponsors, and also raises funds through a fall golf tournament and spring gala. This year’s spring fundraiser, “Encore”, will be held Friday evening, March 28, at the Belly-Up in Solana Beach, and will feature 80s recording artists The English Beat. The Foundation also plans and sponsors events at schools throughout the District to help each school raise its individual fundraising goal.
Where is my money going?
100% of your contributions made prior to May 1 support enrichment programs for both the 2007-08 and the 2008-09 school years at your school. If you designate a donation for your school, then it stays at your school. If your school exceeds its fundraising goal, the excess will stay at your school for use in future years. The Foundation also guarantees that all dollars raised from parents go directly to their school, without any deductions for expenses. Gross dollars equal net dollars.
I already gave to my school's PTA. Why should I give to the Foundation?
The Foundation works cooperatively with each school’s PTA to plan events and activities that support our schools. The school PTAs engage in multi-varied activities, which include both fundraising and advocacy. The Foundation is exclusively a fundraising entity. Our sole goal this year is to raise money to support science, music, art, technology and physical education programs in our schools, and all donations made to the Foundation this year will be designated for this purpose.
Why should I donate money to public schools? Isn't that why I pay taxes?
While it is true that property taxes are the primary revenue source for the Del Mar Union School District, these revenues are insufficient to provide the various enrichment programs that make our elementary schools among the best in the state and the nation. Since the passage of Proposition 13 approximately 30 years ago, California property taxes have been capped at 1%, while other state’s property taxes are 3% or more. This creates a revenue gap that can only be closed with your support.
What if I have more questions or need more information?
Call us! The Foundation offices are located at Sycamore Ridge elementary school, and we’re open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. You can call us at 858-523-6199, or email us at dmsef@delmarschools.com. Or, if you prefer, feel free to contact your school’s Foundation representative, or the current Foundation president, Bob Gans (parent at Del Mar Hills), at 858-342-4656, or bobgans@mac.com.