For school groups and community members who are interested in making a more targeted gift to Birmingham Public Schools, the BEF offers Endowment Funds and Program Support Funds. Donors will get the benefit of giving a donation that is tax deductible, and school groups will get the benefit of being able to raise funds for the long term. Both of these can be a great way for groups to fundraise for capital improvement type projects, or for anything else that would take a longer view.
Endowment Funds
The BEF will work with donors to set up Endowment Funds to support specific Birmingham Public School programs and groups. Endowment funds are intended to support school groups for years and years to come. Once per year, named sponsors or administrators may request a withdrawal of the interest accrued in the account. The required initial deposit to an endowment account is $10,000. The deposit can be made over several years, as long as the initial deposit is at least $5,000, and the remaining $5,000 is deposited over a three year period. Endowments are then invested with oversight by the Finance Committee according to our investment policies. These funds are held in perpetuity. Donations to these endowment funds are tax deductible.
The BEF currently has Endowment Funds established:
Groves Aquatic Endowment - Benefiting swimming, diving and water polo at Groves High School
Seaholm Aquatic Endowment - Benefiting swimming, diving and water polo at Seaholm High School
Hoeffler Endowment - Established upon the retirement of beloved BPS superintendent, John Hoeffler, the Hoffler Endowment Fund benefits the Birmingham Education Foundation.
Mrs. C. Beverly Music Endowment - Established in honor of Mrs. C., beloved Beverly music teacher
Program Support Funds
Program Support Funds (or PSFs) are like savings accounts that organizations can establish with the BEF. Parents and community members are then able to make tax deductible donations to the PSF, which will only be used for the purpose or group that the PSF has been established to support. Designated sponsors or administrators are able to request funds from the PSF up to four times a year, and they may request both the principal and the interest from the fund. The initial deposit necessary to establish a PSF is $2,500, and funds must maintain a balance of $750 to remain active. These funds are great for intermediate and long range planning.
The following groups have established Program Support Funds with the BEF:
Bingham Farms Breakfast Club and Camp Eagle - Academic support at Bingham Farms Elementary School outside of the school day and year.
Derby Orchestra - Supports the Derby Orchestra Program and student musicians of the Derby Orchestra. Give to the fund online by clicking here.
Derby Band - Supports the Derby Band Program and student musicians of the Derby Band.
Derby Choir - Supports the Derby Choir Program and student musicians of the Derby Choir.
Seaholm Orchestra - Supports the Seaholm Orchestra Program and student musicians of the Seaholm Orchestra.
Engineering & Robotics - Supports Birmingham’s FIRST Robotics Team and related activities.
Groves Aquatic - Supports the Groves Aquatic program and student athletes participating in the program.
Groves Band - Supports the Groves Band Program and student musicians of the Groves Band.
Groves Debate - Funds co-curricular debate competition on the varsity, junior varsity and novice levels, including but not limited to, entry fees, lodging expenses, food costs for coaches and –when necessary- students, transportation costs, summer institute debate scholarships, technical support (computers, power strips, jump drives, timers, cameras) judging and additional coaching for national, regional and Michigan tournaments. You can give to the Groves Debate online by clicking here.
Groves Orchestra - Support of programs and activities of benefit to the Groves Orchestra or its members.
Groves Football - Supports the Groves Football program and student athletes participating in the program.
Groves Baseball - Supports the Groves Baseball program and student athletes participating in the program.
Seaholm Aquatic - Supports the Seaholm Aquatic program and student athletes participating in the program.
Seaholm Orchestra - Supports the Seaholm Orchestra Program and students musicians of the Seaholm Orchestra.
Bingham Farms Breakfast Club and Camp Eagle - Academic support at Bingham Farms Elementary School outside of the school day and year.
Derby Orchestra - Supports the Derby Orchestra Program and student musicians of the Derby Orchestra. Give to the fund online by clicking here.
Derby Band - Supports the Derby Band Program and student musicians of the Derby Band.
Derby Choir - Supports the Derby Choir Program and student musicians of the Derby Choir.
Seaholm Orchestra - Supports the Seaholm Orchestra Program and student musicians of the Seaholm Orchestra.
Engineering & Robotics - Supports Birmingham’s FIRST Robotics Team and related activities.
Groves Aquatic - Supports the Groves Aquatic program and student athletes participating in the program.
Groves Band - Supports the Groves Band Program and student musicians of the Groves Band.
Groves Debate - Funds co-curricular debate competition on the varsity, junior varsity and novice levels, including but not limited to, entry fees, lodging expenses, food costs for coaches and –when necessary- students, transportation costs, summer institute debate scholarships, technical support (computers, power strips, jump drives, timers, cameras) judging and additional coaching for national, regional and Michigan tournaments. You can give to the Groves Debate online by clicking here.
Groves Orchestra - Support of programs and activities of benefit to the Groves Orchestra or its members.
Groves Football - Supports the Groves Football program and student athletes participating in the program.
Groves Baseball - Supports the Groves Baseball program and student athletes participating in the program.
Seaholm Aquatic - Supports the Seaholm Aquatic program and student athletes participating in the program.
Seaholm Orchestra - Supports the Seaholm Orchestra Program and students musicians of the Seaholm Orchestra.
Endowment & PSFs FAQ
What is the difference between an Endowment Fund and a Program Support Fund?
The difference is in how donations to the funds are treated. Think of a program support fund like a savings account - you are able to withdraw funds from the account up to three times each year and all funds are eligible for withdrawal. For the Endowment Fund, donations remain as principle in the account in perpetuity, and only the interest earnings are eligible for withdrawl.
What are the minimum donations required to start each?
To establish a PSF, the initial deposit is $2,500. The initial deposit for an endowment is $10,000, but those deposits can be split over three years.
The endowments are invested, right? Who oversees that?
The BEF has an finance committee that oversees all investments, including the endowment funds.
Why should my group consider establishing a PSF or Endowment Fund?
By setting up these funds with the BEF, your donors are able to make tax deductible gifts to your organization. Establishing a PSF can help your organization to designate funds for a specific purpose, and know that the funds will be used for that purpose in the years to come. An Endowment Fund allows you to make a lasting gift to the program you care about. All donations add to the principle of this fund, and the program is able to benefit from the earnings of the endowment fund.
Does the BEF charge any fees for these accounts?
At the moment, the BEF does not charge a fee for these services, however we do reserve the right to charge a small fee in the future if we find that administering the account is taking up a great deal of time and resources.
The difference is in how donations to the funds are treated. Think of a program support fund like a savings account - you are able to withdraw funds from the account up to three times each year and all funds are eligible for withdrawal. For the Endowment Fund, donations remain as principle in the account in perpetuity, and only the interest earnings are eligible for withdrawl.
What are the minimum donations required to start each?
To establish a PSF, the initial deposit is $2,500. The initial deposit for an endowment is $10,000, but those deposits can be split over three years.
The endowments are invested, right? Who oversees that?
The BEF has an finance committee that oversees all investments, including the endowment funds.
Why should my group consider establishing a PSF or Endowment Fund?
By setting up these funds with the BEF, your donors are able to make tax deductible gifts to your organization. Establishing a PSF can help your organization to designate funds for a specific purpose, and know that the funds will be used for that purpose in the years to come. An Endowment Fund allows you to make a lasting gift to the program you care about. All donations add to the principle of this fund, and the program is able to benefit from the earnings of the endowment fund.
Does the BEF charge any fees for these accounts?
At the moment, the BEF does not charge a fee for these services, however we do reserve the right to charge a small fee in the future if we find that administering the account is taking up a great deal of time and resources.