Be a Part of Something Bigger and Fund our Future Together!
In 1992, a group of Mountain Brook community leaders formed the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation in response to concern over lack of state and federal funding for our community’s public school system. Today, the issue of limited government funding still remains while the cost to educate our children continues to increase. We strive to bridge the gap and ensure that the quality of our schools meet Mountain Brook’s standard.
Fund Our Future Campaign Goal
After surpassing an original campaign goal of $3 million in 2024, the “Fund our Future” campaign committee set a new fundraising goal of $5 million based on the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation’s strategic plan to grow its endowment fund to $20 million in order to grant $1 million to Mountain Brook Schools each year.
Keeping Mountain Brook Ahead Of The Curve
Thanks to the Foundation, our school system is able to thoughtfully integrate cutting edge technology into our students’ learning.
Technology accounts for the second largest non-personnel expense in the school system’s budget, and it continues to increase by at least 5% each year.
Continue Educating Our Educators
Mountain Brook teachers logged 11,733 hours of professional development during the 2023-2024 school year at no personal costs, thanks in large part to the Foundation. The Foundation funded the following for our schools:
– Math and Reading Coaches
– Mountain Brook Schools Learning Conference
– Proactive State-Mandated Training
– Stipends for Summer Learning Groups
Encourage Innovation In Our Classrooms
The Institute for Innovation is a program established in 2015 to cultivate a culture of innovation among our teachers. Educators are encouraged to apply for a grant, which is fully funded by the Foundation, to transform the learning taking place in the classroom. The Foundation funds three to five teacher projects each year.
Decades of Stewardship And Growth
The Foundation’s primary goal is to build an endowment that lasts. To do so, the finance committee is comprised of board members who work with seasoned investment professionals to both protect and grow these resources for future generations. A gift to the Foundation is tax-deductible!
This campaign serves to make up the difference ensuring our community’s schools stay strong.
THE SOLUTION
Mountain Brook Schools are the backbone of Mountain Brook’s thriving community. When they are well-resourced and funded, they help prepare students for future success! A high quality school system attracts families and businesses. On top of all of this, they boost local economies and property values.
It is time to build on what was established in 1992. Mountain Brook Schools is one of the most valued benefits of living in the Mountain Brook community. This is an asset that NEEDS to be invested in and protected. Help the Foundation meet its fundraising goal and keep this community strong.
Help Us Build Tomorrow’s Leaders
Join us in supporting Mountain Brook Schools through the Foundation’s Fund our Future campaign! Your generous contribution will help shape the education of Mountain Brook students and ensure they have the resources needed to succeed. Please make a credit card donation below. To make a multi-year pledge, please contact Executive Director Rachel Weingartner at Rachel@MBGives.org or (205) 414-0042.
What Is An Endowment?
An endowment fund is an investment portfolio with the initial capital deriving from donations. Endowment funds are established to fund charitable and nonprofit institutions such as churches, hospitals, and SCHOOLS. Donations to endowment funds are tax-deductible.
Endowments offer a consistent source of income for organizations to ensure stability and help with operating costs!
Your tax-deductible gifts of cash, stocks and other assets will grow well beyond this generation and provide support for Mountain Brook Schools in perpetuity.
To make your 1, 2, or 3 year pledge or to learn more, please contact:
Mountain Brook Schools Funding 101
The largest expense of Mountain Brook’s school system is personnel costs (salaries and benefits), which comprises around 83% of the budget. The expense cannot be reduced without increasing class sizes or eliminating critical personnel. The remaining 17% of the school system budget includes essential operating expenses like: insurance, utilities, maintenance, instruction materials. This leaves very limited discretionary funds in the budget to be INNOVATIVE. That is where the Foundation’s funding steps-in to support forward thinking teaching and instruction.
Our Funding Formula
When the Foundation was established, its Board of Directors set a stringent granting policy to protect the endowment and ensure its ability to support Mountain Brook Schools in perpetuity.
5% of assets, averaged over the previous twelve quarters with a minimum payout of 4% and a maximum payout of 6% of the current market value of assets.
