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Reds Community Fund, Green Umbrella partners announce campus projects; board discusses potential foundation role for ABC
Summary
Board members described new outdoor and community-campus investments announced with the Reds Community Fund and Green Umbrella partners, and resumed a board discussion about forming or formalizing a district foundation using Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC) as a model or partner.
Board members reported Feb. 24 that the Reds Community Fund will invest volunteer time and grant resources into campus projects at Douglas and the Owens learning center (Promise Center). The board also reviewed Green Umbrella’s long-running outdoor‑education and green-schoolyard program and noted district participation in an upcoming national conference.
Separately, members discussed the prospect of a district foundation and a proposal that Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC) — an existing local 501(c)(3) that raises funds and runs co-curricular programming for Cincinnati Public Schools — could serve as a vehicle for broader development and philanthropy. Board members and staff said they have engaged in working-group discussions and a fact-finding meeting with ABC.
Board members voiced broad support for a foundation’s fundraising potential but also raised governance and conflict-of-interest questions. Questions included whether an independent foundation should both (a) fundraise/donate to the district and (b) contract for services such as athletics or resource coordination, and whether a single MOU would appropriately separate fundraising functions from service contracts. Board members asked for more formal proposals and options to present to the full board, including: (1) a foundation model focused solely on fundraising and philanthropy with clear separation from vendor services; (2) a model that retains certain service contracts within the foundation; and (3) any hybrid approach with governance and transparency safeguards.
Board leaders asked staff to assemble a clear timeline of prior public discussions and to return with comparative models, cost analyses and recommendations for board review. Several members also suggested independent legal or auditor review of governance arrangements before final approval.
No binding board action on a foundation structure was taken on Feb. 24; board members requested additional analysis and a fuller board discussion on specific models and safeguards.
