2024 Grant Application: Fundraising & Enrollment Manager Position for MVSU


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Grant Overview

Please enter a brief descriptive name for this grant*
Fundraising & Enrollment Manager Position for MVSU

Briefly describe the purpose of the grant
We are seeking funding to continue to build upon the successful fundraising efforts of the Mountain Views Supervisory Union (MVSU). Dollars raised from private sources will significantly offset costs associated with the new Woodstock Union Middle and High School. Since the capital campaign commenced in the spring of ’22, we have secured over $3.5 million in pledges for the new HSMS. The requested grant will partially fund a newly proposed fulltime “Fundraising & Enrollment Manager” position. This position will be critical to ensure that private philanthropic dollars continue to be raised for the capital campaign for the new HSMS and to supplement and enhance the district’s programmatic needs now and in the future. Newly added to the role will be the development and deployment of an enrollment management function to attract students primarily from school choice towns to our Middle and High School.

What is the total budget for the project for which you are requesting EDC support?
$120,000

How much funding are you requesting from the EDC?
$35,000

Applicant and Organization Information

Name of Applicant / Organization / Business
Mountain Views Supervisory Union

Mailing address
70 Amsden Way Woodstock, VT 05091

Name of Project coordinator
Marlena McNamee

Coordinator's email address
marlena.mcnamee@mtnviews.org

Coordinator's telephone number
518-275-1558

Organization's website
https://mtnviews.org/

Organization's EIN
03-0216590

If you are applying on behalf of an organization, describe the organization and its mission (if you are applying as an individual enter "None")
Mountain Views Supervisory Union MVSU (formerly Windsor Central Supervisory Union) was formed in 2018 to unite Woodstock's high school/middle school with five elementary schools in Barnard, Killington, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock. Through unity, we achieve economies of scale, efficiency, and synergy that benefit roughly 1,000 students–more than 30% whom are from Woodstock–along and 14,000 residents in 20 rural Vermont towns. By sharing resources, we help to keep community tax rates low while providing a high-quality, well-rounded education to all students. Like many schools nationwide, MVSU has incorporated its mission into our unique "Portrait of a Graduate," which describes in detail the goals that guide us: to help every student achieve academic excellence; to teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills; to encourage students' self-direction; and to shape future citizens who effectively steward their communities.

If you are applying on behalf of an organization, what is your annual organizational budget (if you are applying as an individual enter "None")?
MVSU’s total organizational budget is proposed a

Project Description

Please provide a detailed description of the project
On March 5, voters in the Mountain Views Supervisory Union will have the opportunity to approve the construction of a new Woodstock Union Middle and High School. The proposed new building-which will cost $99 million-will be financed via bond with repayments commencing the summer of 2027 (pending a successful bond vote in March). To control costs, the school board has implemented a tax impact reduction strategy which includes a 16% cap on the bond’s impact in addition to investments in fundraising and enrollment management. With $3.5 million raised to date, the district has over three years before bond payments begin to continue fundraising and to recruit additional students to the new school. These measures will continue to significantly lower the tax impact. Currently, MVSU’s Fundraising Manager is a part-time, 20 hrs a week position. We are grateful to the EDC for funding 75% of this position in 2023. We would like to transition this position from part time to full time and include enrollment management into the current job description. Of note-it is unknown if this position would be (1) FTE or (2) .5 FTE’s. Every dollar raised through fundraising (or other funding sources such as enrollment) reduces the tax burden on our community. The goal over time is to continue to grow the district’s fundraising capacity, so that we can not only mitigate tax impacts of a new school building but also continue to fund high-quality programming that attracts families to our communities and increases enrollment. Each student enrolled in the district reduces the annual amount required to be raised from taxpayers by about $20,000. For more information on the new Woodstock Union HSMS, please visit: https://mtnviews.org/breaking-new-ground Primary Duties - Fundraising Manager -Manage the new HSMS capital campaign and donor prospects. -Serve as the liaison between the district’s fundraising work group, donors, District Finance Manager, and Finance Committee. -Work with vendors and volunteers to produce a case for support, website, and other collateral materials. -Ensure proper procedures are followed, including the receipting and acknowledgment of gifts and gift agreements. -Aid Fundraising Workgroup leadership in planning and implementing a strategy for private, federal/state and public funding. -Execute regional and national private foundation research; create and submit proposals and secure funding. -Develop and launch an annual giving program. Primary Duties - Enrollment Manager -Develop and execute strategic plans to attract and enroll a diverse student population, considering regional demographics and educational goals. -Collaborate with local communities and community organizations to promote the school and increase -awareness about enrollment opportunities. -Effectively communicate with prospective students and their families, providing information about the school's academic and extracurricular programs. -Work closely with school administrators, teachers, and support staff to facilitate a smooth transition for enrolled students and promote a positive school culture. -Plan and execute admissions events, open houses, and tours to showcase the school's offerings and facilities.

What is the timeline for the project (e.g. when will it be ready to start, when will it be completed,
are there important milestones along the way?
We would like to transition this position to full time at the start of the district’s new fiscal year on July 1, 2024. Here are some major milestones: • Raise an additional $1 million for the HSMS capital campaign by December 2024. • Develop a comprehensive enrollment management plan by October 1, 2024. • Launch enrollment management program by October 15, 2024 and commence recruitment efforts.

What will success look like?
Success will come in two forms–an increase in funding for the new school (and the district) via private donations and incremental increases in HSMS enrollment.

Project Budget

Please provide a link to a spreadsheet that shows the project's budget, using the format as indicated in this example
Total Project Budget = $120,000; $105,000 Full time Fundraising/Enrollment Manager; $15,000 Supplies; requesting $35,000 from the EDC

Please confirm that no in-kind expenses are included in the budget spreadsheet
Confirmed

If there are any explanations you would like to provide to help us better understand the project budget spreadsheet
please enter them here
none

Community Support

Is there a "project champion" who strongly supports the project?
The district Superintendent Sherry Sousa is a tireless advocate of the new school along with her leadership team and the MVSU School Board.

Describe the level of community support for this project
Community support for a new middle and high school is strong. Further, the community is relieved that the school district (and board) has taken proactive, actionable steps to mitigate the new HSMS' tax impacts.

Questions and Responses

Question: Can this request wait until the MVSU proposed new school bond is voted on in March (submitted by Larry Niles)
Response: Larry- While that is certainly a possibility, I wanted to get the application in. If the EDC is able to allocate/hold funding to reconsider after March 5th that works for us.


Question: Given thatthis investment is extremely profitable (i.e. the funds you expect to raise are far larger than the cost of the position) why does the School district not fully fund this position (and perhaps additional fundraising positions) yourself? (submitted by Jon Spector)
Response: Jon- The district is funding a grant writer position currently. While the funds over time are profitable we are still in the early stages of a fundraising program at the district. It is a large lift financially to fund two fundraising positions (both this position and the grant writer) so early in program development. The school district also may face budgetary constraints or competing financial priorities. Allocating resources to various essential areas, such as academic programs and student services, could limit the ability to fully fund the position.


Question: If you were awarded the grant how would you plan to recognize the contribution made by the EDC (so the community can better understand the types of investments we are making in economic and commmunity development)? (submitted by Jon Spector)
Response: In our presentations on the new middle and high school we have acknowledged the EDC's contributions to date and the ROI. Additionally, regular project updates and collaboration opportunities would ensure the community stays informed about the specific investments facilitated by the EDC's support. We are more than happy to partner on these types of efforts.

Response 2: In our presentations on the new middle and high school we have acknowledged the EDC's contributions to date and the ROI. Additionally, regular project updates and collaboration opportunities would ensure the community stays informed about the specific investments facilitated by the EDC's support. We are more than happy to partner on these types of efforts.

Response 3: In our presentations on the new middle and high school we have acknowledged the EDC's contributions to date and the ROI. Additionally, regular project updates and collaboration opportunities would ensure the community stays informed about the specific investments facilitated by the EDC's support. We are more than happy to partner on these types of efforts.

Response 4: In our presentations on the new middle and high school we have acknowledged the EDC's contributions to date and the ROI. Additionally, regular project updates and collaboration opportunities would ensure the community stays informed about the specific investments facilitated by the EDC's support. We are more than happy to partner on these types of efforts.


Question: To what extent was the person in this position in prior years significantly responsible for getting the current $3.5 M in private donations? What percentage of the time would you estimate that this person will devote to bringing school choice children to the new school. (submitted by Larry Niles)
Response: Larry- the person who is currently in the Fundraising Manager position has devoted ~15 hrs a week to fundraising. The proposed fundraising / enrollment manager position would be 20 hrs a week fundraising and 20 hrs a week for enrollment management.