The mission of the Foundation is to generate and distribute resources that enrich and enhance education opportunities for all students, encourage teachers to implement innovative educational programs, and award scholarships to Albany Public School District students. The Foundation’s Board of Directors recognize that this is best accomplished by a combined commitment and collaboration with the school district, the school board, businesses, individuals, and other organizations in the community.

 

The Albany Public Schools Foundation is dedicated to enriching and enhancing the learning experience of all students in the Albany Public School District by investing its resources in education and youth.

 

The Albany Public Schools Foundation will secure resources from various community sources to support Albany Public School District educational and enrichment programs for which school funds are not available. These programs will stimulate excellence in and mobilize community support for enhancing the quality of education in the District. The Foundation will inform the community about the strengths and innovative programs in the public schools to build confidence in the schools and encourage community and business financial and non-financial support.

 

The Albany Public Schools Foundation was formed and incorporated in 1984 by a group of concerned citizens to help meet the educational needs of youth in the Albany Public School District. The original Board of Directors raised funds and determined how those funds were distributed. Paul Heins was the first President of the Foundation. In addition to Heins, charter officers included Ester Ferguson as Vice President, Dick Running as Treasurer, and Fred Decker as Secretary.

To promote the best interests of public education in the Albany area, the Foundation secures private contributions to aid public school programs. The Foundation is committed to providing an avenue to develop and expand charitable giving in support of Albany public schools.

With an initial donation of $500 from the Future Savings and Loan Association, the Foundation was financially established. Since 1984, the Foundation has grown, in large part, due to the generous support of local community leaders. From that initial donation, the Foundation's assets have grown to a total of $604,765 for the year ending June 30, 2011.

Currently, the Albany Public Schools Foundation is made up of 23 members. These dedicated individuals include active and retired teachers, school district staff, active and retired community business people, and one charter member, Mark McNabb.

The Foundation has recently undertaken a commission to expand our visibility in the community in an effort to support Greater Albany Public Schools. We have enlisted several new board members from the community to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community and the needs of the Greater Albany Public Schools.