North Allegheny Foundation reports record giving; commits $100,000 for senior-high sand volleyball courts

Joe Bauerle, speaking for the North Allegheny Foundation at the school board’s Dec. 10 meeting, summarized the organization’s work and recent spending.

Bauerle told trustees the foundation operates on a July 1–June 30 fiscal year and reported distributing “over $175,000 in grants to schools and teachers, more than $41,000 in scholarships to seniors, and $5,700 in angel funds for students in need,” which he said summed to about $222,600 in the last fiscal year. He said the foundation is on pace to expand giving again next year.

Bauerle highlighted the foundation’s Facilities for the Future grant program and said the foundation intends to give $100,000 for two sand volleyball courts at the senior high, to be used by CSED classes, clubs, community groups and the athletic department. He described a strategic shift in the trustees’ grantmaking approach away from one-off, third-party scholarships toward investments that benefit larger numbers of students over time (for example, equipment or facility projects).

When Dr. Gibbs asked about third-party scholarships, Bauerle said the foundation does not solicit those funds; many arrive as memorial gifts or from organizations without a formal 501(c)(3) and lack continuity in administration. He said the foundation is exploring outsourcing administration for those small, one-time scholarships and plans to streamline the process over the next two years so more funds can be directed toward projects that serve many students.

Trustees thanked the foundation and asked for additional historical context on net earnings over time; a board member requested a slide showing net earnings for the past 10 years in next year’s presentation.