The Rural Schools Partnership is excited to announce the following funds, which have been opened in recent weeks.

Valle Athletic Fund – The Valle Schools Foundation established this fund to support the athletic programs of the school.

Valle Music and Arts Fund – The Valle Schools Foundation established this fund to support the music and arts program.

Valle Technology Fund – The Valle Schools Foundation established this fund to support the technology needs of the schools.

Conway Schools Curtain Fund – The Conway School Foundation established this fund to help purchase new stage curtains for the school.

Conway Schools Uniform Fund - The Conway School Foundation established this fund to help purchase uniforms for the Conway Schools.

Howell Valley School Foundation Endowment Fund – The Howell Valley School Foundation established this endowed fund to support the long term sustainability of the projects and programs of the Howell Valley School District. This is a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Howell Valley School Foundation Fund – The Howell Valley School Foundation established this fund to support the immediate needs of the Howell Valley School District. This is a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Click here to see a full list of RSP partners and participating schools. Contact Julie Leeth (417-864-6199) with questions or for more information.

What began as a generous and visionary commitment from a single donor has now evolved into a community-wide effort to build a viable school foundation.  The Conway School Foundation has formally established the Conway School Foundation Fund and the Conway School Foundation Endowment Fund.  The former will support current projects and programs, and the latter will be an endowment building effort dedicated to long-term needs.

School-centered philanthropy in Conway received a tremendous boost in 2010 with the establishment of the Billy Coyle Leadership Fund.  Established by donor Bill Coyle, this fund provides an outstanding Conway student with a leadership award.  The student must demonstrate traits and qualities of a leader or have been involved in laboratory opportunities for leadership.  Funded with a significant contribution, the Coyle fund showed the potential for a more formal school foundation serving Conway students and teachers.

“This would not have happened without the philanthropic leadership of Bill Coyle and the administrative guidance of Conway superintendent Chris Berger,” reports Community Foundation of the Ozarks senior associate for advancement Carol Silvey.  Silvey, who manages and works out of CFO’s West Plains office, credits Dr. Berger with having a real appreciation for the role of philanthropy in rural schools.  “Chris truly gets it,” she said. “His positive attitude really carries over into the community.”

Local school advocate Joe Wissbalm serves as president of the Conway School Foundation.

Conway’s growing school foundation represents the 24th new school foundation/partnership established since the inception of CFO’s Rural School Partnership.  With a major focus on school-centered asset development, the Rural Schools Partnership has the resources and expertise to assist any rural Ozarks school district in the establishment and development of a local school foundation.  If you would like more information on how to start a school foundation in your community, please contact Carol Silvey (417-234-2262) or Julie Leeth (417-864-6199).