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Dogtown Foundation outlines fundraising plan, alumni and corporate partnerships to support North Little Rock students
Summary
The newly formed Dogtown Foundation, which recently received 501(c)(3) status, told the board it has raised about $100,000 so far and plans alumni engagement, corporate partnerships and a "CAT Strong" initiative to fund extracurriculars, enrichment and basic needs support for district students.
Johnny Rice, introducing the Dogtown Foundation, told the board the group has spent the past year organizing a governing board, applying for nonprofit status and building fundraising channels.
"We filed our paperwork in December... in May, we received our 501(c)(3) status," Rice said, summarizing the foundation's milestones. He told the board the group has raised roughly $100,000 through advertising, sponsorships and fundraising efforts and is pursuing additional revenue via corporate partnerships, grants and alumni membership.
Rice described several priorities the foundation plans to fund, including extracurricular programs, extended-day and extended-year services, wrap-around supports and a proposed initiative called "CAT Strong" to provide after-school enrichment, mentoring and basic needs such as food for students and families.
"Our 1st one being promoting and supporting extracurricular programs like sports or clubs... Promote and support extended day and extended year programs to help students succeed pre-K through 12," Rice said, adding that the foundation aims ultimately to offset up to $750,000 in operational costs for extended services so those dollars could instead support teacher pay and other district priorities.
Board members and administrators praised the foundation's organization and encouraged volunteer and community engagement; several trustees said they would help connect the foundation with potential supporters and suggested ways to publicize the group's meetings and initiatives.
Rice said the foundation will continue developing advertising packages, an alumni association and grant-writing capacity and invited the board and community to its regular monthly meeting (last Monday of every month) and to help shape the CAT Strong program.
