Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Foundation Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Palm Springs Unified Foundation reports $728,113 cash on hand, $475,000 pledged; seeks Measure J funds for Richards Center audio upgrade
Summary
Ellen Goodman, director of the Palm Springs Unified Foundation, presented a quarter‑three, year‑to‑date report showing $728,113 in cash, an outstanding $475,000 in pledged support, and a $350,000 Measure J request for Richards Center audio upgrades that would push the foundation past $1 million if awarded.
Ellen Goodman, director of the Palm Springs Unified Foundation, told the board the foundation's unaudited year‑to‑date cash position through March 31 is $728,113 and that promised or pledged contributions totaling about $475,000 remain outstanding and are expected by June. Goodman said the average donation for the period is $1,807 per donor (year‑to‑date average) and described an outstanding $350,000 request to the city of Palm Springs Measure J commission to upgrade audio at the Richards Center; the Measure J commission will shortlist the Richards Center on May 22, with final awards subject to the city's June budget adoption.
Goodman identified program highlights and activity supported by the foundation, including a pivot from elementary to middle school instrument purchases (recorders, ukuleles, keyboards), sponsorship work for MTU and a Salma Strada Scholarship Fund event, Drone Fest outreach and a planned demo at the Tech Arena, wellness center openings (Vista Del Monte opened the week of the meeting; additional wellness centers in progress), and a boot camp and mentor program for students preparing for college. Goodman said the foundation is in grant season, has begun a shoe distribution campaign launch and is planning its fall fundraising gala "One Night in Paris" for October 4.
Why it matters: The foundation's fundraising affects arts, enrichment, wellness and technology programming across the district. If the Measure J funding is awarded and pledged amounts are collected, Goodman said the foundation's operating resources would exceed $1 million for the fiscal year.
Next steps: Goodman said the foundation will await the Measure J June budget decision, continue grant applications, complete audit work and begin administrative steps for planned student programming and distributions.
