Indian Prairie Dist. 204 looking for fundraising ideas

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board members Monday asked the Indian Prairie Education Foundation to keep its eyes open for any fundraising opportunities that may present themselves.

Board member Dawn DeSart said she would like to see a system that allows people to make program-specific donations in the district.

"I don't know how the foundation works now, but individuals or groups of people should be able to put money in the bucket of something they're involved in - a library or a building or 'if I die I could will so much money to a school's LMC,'" DeSart said.

Board President Curt Bradshaw agreed with the concept, but warned the Foundation is a separate group with its own level of autonomy.

"From our perspective, people give to initiatives that are nearest and dearest to their heart so I would think it would make sense to arrange their business so you can give to science and technology initiatives and have a restricted gift to that category," he said. "The more we can customize this to the individual desires, pursuits and passions of people in the community, the more likely we are to connect people with projects."

According to the Foundation's website, the group was formed to fund projects that enhance student development, encourage excellence through creative teaching and foster school and community partnerships.