The Committee, under the supervision of North Scott Superintendent Robert C. Stevens, solicited a lawyer and began the legal process of setting up a non-profit (501)(C3) corporation, chartered by the state of Iowa and governed by an independent and separate board of directors. Therefore all gifts to the foundation could be tax-deductible and the foundation itself would be tax-exempt. Articles of Incorporation were written, the by-laws were drawn up and the Foundation was chartered by the State of Iowa and established. This was not as smooth as it may sound as the committee made several mistakes but learned from their errors.
The newly established Board of Directors announced the existence of the North Scott Educational Foundation in 1984 with a newspaper article including a picture of the new board members, a brochure explaining what it hoped to do, and a desire to begin raising funds. They started with a fund-raising letter campaign to area businesses and individuals to create an endowment fund. Other fund-raising events were also held helping the Foundation become more recognized in the community. The mission of the Educational Foundation was to primarily provide scholarships for post-high school education to North Scott graduates and to enhance appropriate school-sponsored educational experiences for North Scott students. The money received was invested in CD's and the first North Scott Educational Foundation scholarship, for $500, was awarded in 1986. Later, as the funds grew, the NSEF invested the endowments in stocks and bonds with US Bank serving as advisors and portfolio managers.
In 1993 the Foundation received a huge financial boost. Alfred and Helen Arp, a couple who had farmed in Scott County all their lives and who sincerely believed in the value of educational opportunities, willed an endowment of $320,580 to the Foundation to be used to provide scholarships to North Scott graduates. This was certainly a catalyst for the Foundation's growth and an example and encouragement to others to see the possibilities of donating to NSEF. The Arp Fund currently awards two $10,000 scholarships each year.
In 1995, as a lasting tribute to their father, The Melvin E. Heiler Scholarship Fund was established through an endowment by his children following his death. For 23 years, Mr. Heiler had served the North Scott School District as both high-school principal and superintendent of schools and was instrumental in the development of the current school system. The Heiler Fund currently awards two $750 scholarships annually.
Another large endowment came in the form of a living legacy in 1996 from Wilma Zabel, a life-long resident of the North Scott community. She continued to be a strong philanthropist and supporter of our cause until her death in 2003. The Wilma Zabel Scholarship is awarded each year in the amount of $750.
In 200l former residents of Scott County and current residents of Sonoita, AZ, Mickey and Karol McArthur, gave a $100,000 endowment in honor of their personal friend and former Superintendent Robert C. Stevens who was courageously battling cancer at the time. Another endowment fund was set up in Mr. Stevens's name. It currently grants two $2000 scholarships each year.
Over the years, the NSEF has become a vehicle for other types of scholarships as well. We offer endowed memorial scholarships, memorial scholarships that are granted on a one-time or limited basis and other specific scholarship grants that are determined by the contributor.
Scholarships awarded in 2005 by the NSE Foundation include:
- Major Scholarships awarded from the three endowed scholarship funds:
- The Arp Scholarship Fund (two scholarship recipients at $10000 each)
- The Heiler Scholarship Fund (two scholarship recipients at $750 each)
- The Stevens Scholarship Fund (two scholarship recipients at $2000 each)
- Scholarships awarded from the North Scott Educational Foundation Fund:
- Unrestricted Funds
- NSEF Scholarship (two scholarship recipients at $750 each)
- Post Prom Scholarship (two scholarship recipients at $250 each)
- Restricted Funds
- The Zabel Scholarship (one scholarship recipient at $750)
- The Wilbert Schaff Scholarship (five scholarship recipients at $1000 each)
- The Countryside Community Theatre Scholarship (one scholarship recipient at $500)
- Endowed Memorial Scholarships
- The Peggy Schneckloth Darland Memorial Scholarship ($500)
- The Mike Richlen Memorial Scholarship ($600)
- The Joyce Brockhouse Memorial Scholarship ($800)
- The Tina Van De Wiele Memorial Scholarship ($350)
- Specific limited or one time scholarships
- The Jeff Mitchell Memorial Scholarship ($300)
- The Jana Donabauer Memorial Scholarship ($250)
- The Jeremy Moreland Memorial Scholarship ($250)
- The Irene Looney Memorial Scholarship ($250)
- Charlotte Mohr Nursing Scholarship ($500)
In 2001 the NSEF joined forces with the "Leave a Legacy" Foundation on both the state and local levels. This initiative's mission is to promote interest in planned charitable giving through wills or estate plans. It works hand-in-hand with professional advisors and non-profit organizations to encourage planned giving.
The twelve Foundation Board members serve on at least one of several committees. The PR/Marketing Committee promotes donations and planned giving. Through awareness and education, it presents a positive image of the Foundation in the community. It updates brochures and provides press releases for newsworthy happenings including new scholarship announcements, noteworthy contributions etc. This committee also oversees our Website. The Scholarship Committee annually chooses scholarship recipients for various scholarships awarded by the Foundation from among a group of applicants. It also recommends scholarship recipients from the same group of applicants to various organizations and scholarship providers in the community when asked to do so. The Committee provides an application form to North Scott High School seniors interested in applying for local scholarships. The Finance Committe reviews foundation gifts, disbursements and scholarship levels and makes recommendations to the Board on matters involving policies and planning related to these areas. It also oversees the investment strategies of our endowment. The Long-Range Planning Committee initiates, reviews, and/or updates the mission statement, the five-year strategic plan, and the by-laws for the Foundation. It makes planning a continuing part of the Foundation's activities. The Nominating Committee sets a slate of officers to be voted on annually by the Board of Directors. It also nominates new Board members to fill board vacancies.
