Dear Friends,

As the fund raising arm of ACPA, the Foundation is committed to increasing the direct support we are able to provide our Association. Throughout 2007, we worked to reach out to the entire ACPA membership and corporate friends to join us in this effort. What follows is a brief report of some of our most significant accomplishments, as well as goals for 2008. The Foundation Board is committed to continuing its work in support of our Association and the Student Affairs profession. We invite all ACPA members and friends of the Association to join the Foundation in serving our profession and in Making A Difference In The Lives Of Students.

Introduction

The purpose of the ACPA Foundation is to enhance the student affairs profession and to generate and disseminate knowledge of college students at all levels within higher education. In 2007, the Foundation honored its purpose and provided assistance to ACPA through the financial support provided to the Association and the research awards made to ACPA members ( click to view information about the Foundation Grant Program). The Foundation Board of Trustees extends its appreciation to the more than 400 generous donors ( click to view list of 2007 donors) who made 2007 such a successful year. The report that follows provides more specific information regarding the Foundation's 2007 accomplishments and plans for 2008.

Accomplishments

•  In September 2007, the Foundation approved an Emeritus Trustee Group . This group is comprised of past members of the Foundation Board of Trustees who wish to continue their association with the Board. As non-voting members of the Foundation, they accept assignments from the President or other officers that further the mission of the Foundation and serve in an advisory capacity to the Board as requested. Past Trustee and Past President, Bill Bryan chairs this group. For a list of current Emeritus Trustees, click here.  

•  The first annual Emeritus Member Breakfast was held at the ACPA convention in Orlando. Nine retirees who have maintained their membership in ACPA through the Association's Emeritus membership category attended the breakfast. Everyone who attended was excited by the energy and history within the room. The second annual breakfast is scheduled for Sunday, March 30 in Atlanta. This year, the Emeritus Members will be joined by the Emeritus Trustee Group. We look forward to our visit with members of both groups.  

We continue to be pleased to sponsor the Diamond Honoree Program. In 2007, we honored:   

Visit our web site (click ) to make a donation in honor of one or more of the 2008 honorees.

•  The Grant Review Committee continued its work in 2007 by reviewing grant proposals received from ACPA members. The Committee awards approximately $10,000 annually, on behalf of the Foundation, to ACPA researchers who are investigating issues that are of interest to ACPA members and the student affairs profession at-large. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded over $60,000 for research projects (click to view a description of projects funded since 2000).
In 2007, the Foundation funded four projects:

                  Fostering Minority College Student Persistence - Samuel Museus

                  National Study of New Professionals in Student Affairs -
                  Kristen Renn

                  The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being, Purpose in Life                   and Student Affairs - Tricia Seifert

                  The National Study of Student Living/Learning Programs
                  (a multi-year study) - Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas and Aaron Bower

In 2008, the Foundation will solicit proposals for a broad array of student affairs/higher education research topics. In addition, we have accepted a generous donation from the PAVE Systems Corporation and, in particular, will be interested in research proposals related to campus safety and security issues. (click to view more information about the Foundation Grant program and details about submitting a grant proposal.)

•  For the first time, the Foundation was able to conduct a more aggressive effort to involve and solicit the entire membership in the conduct of this year's Annual Fund Campaign. In October, an email message about the campaign was sent to all ACPA members. In addition, personalized email solicitations were sent to members of various leadership constituent groups within ACPA. Reaching out to the entire membership is key to the future success of the Foundation's fund raising efforts. We know that members want to support their professional association. We now have a means to reach out to everyone and to provide a way for everyone to make a difference.   Making a donation is now easier than ever (click here to make a donation)!

•  The Foundation and ACPA co-hosted the first annual Corporate Partner Appreciation Reception at the Orlando convention. Our Corporate partnerships are very important to our ability to provide the assistance to ACPA that is the essence of our purpose. We value the partnerships we have forged and look forward to working with each of our partners and to joining with others in a mutually beneficial relationship (click here to view our 2008 Corporate Partners).

•  A very successful Golf Tournament and Silent Auction of gifts, trips, and speakers were held at the Orlando convention. Thank you to everyone who donated an item, as well as to those who purchased them!

•  The Foundation was pleased to sponsor a very popular "Life After Retirement" program at the Orlando convention.

•  In 2007, the Foundation provided $14,000 to ACPA in support of:

a. expenses associated with the work of the Director of Corporate Development;

b. webinars offered by the Association, through reduced cost to member institutions;

c. a portion of the stipend for the Graduate Research Assistant in the International Office; this position enhances ACPA's interaction with both the Journal of College Student Development and About Campus magazine;

d. the creation and distribution of the monthly "eCommunity" electronic newsletter; and,

e. travel assistance for two participants in the Donna M. Bourasssa Mid-Level Management Institute.

•  Four policies were written and approved by the Foundation Board of Trustees:

a. Tax Exempt Status

b. Budget Development and Guidelines

c. Investment and Use of Endowed Funds

d. Insurance Coverage

•  ACPA and the ACPA Foundation agreed upon a Memorandum of Understanding which stipulates a formal relationship between ACPA and the Foundation as related to fundraising and corporate solicitations.

2008 Goals

•  Provide $24,000 in annual support to ACPA; $12,000 for key ACPA programmatic initiatives to be identified by the Executive Director and $12,000 in support of the work of the Director of Corporate Development.

•  Undertake a strategic planning process to identify both short term and long term Foundation goals.

•  Identify and plan a major event to be held at the 2009 ACPA Convention in Washington, DC in recognition of the 85th anniversary of ACPA, the 50th anniversary of the Journal of College Student Development, and the 15th anniversary of the ACPA Foundation.

•  Create a video which highlights ways in which Student Affairs professionals, ACPA, and the Foundation "Make a Difference in the Lives of Students", inspires financial donations, compliments a broader public relations campaign, and clearly identifies the Foundation as the fundraising arm of ACPA.

•  Establish new corporate partner relationships, while maintaining those with whom the Foundation is already associated.

•  Create and launch a Foundation marketing plan designed to inform ACPA members, potential corporate friends, and others about the Foundation's goals and ways in which all constituencies might help the Foundation achieve its goals.

•  Redesign the Annual Fund Drive to create compelling personal reasons that will encourage more ACPA members to support the Foundation and ACPA.

•  Work to grow the number of people making charitable donations to the Foundation at the E.G. Williamson or May Chaney Society levels ( click to view 2007 donors to the E.G. Williamson and May Chaney Societies), as well as those joining the Heritage Society through planned giving commitments to the Foundation (click to see the names of Heritage Society members).

The members of the Foundation's Board of Trustees are committed to expanding our effort and our reach. We thank all those who have responded to our appeals this year and look forward to continuing our work on behalf of our Association, our profession, and our students.  

Sincerely,

Jean Paratore, Ph.D. President, ACPA Educational Leadership Foundation