How You Can Help

Strong schools are a valuable asset of our community, our families, and our society. When our community connects with our schools, all participants in the learning process benefit. Teachers and administrators are working against stiff odds, with reduced budgets, increased governmental mandates, and compounding socio-economic pressures on students and their families. They need our additional support.

Community involvement can and does help. IPEI has committed itself to making connections between the community and our schools through grants, partnerships and collaborations. IPEI is the vehicle through which the community can support the mission of our public schools. As IPEI celebrates 13 years of service to the community, all 6,000 students are counting on us! We welcome ideas, volunteer time and tax deductible donations from individuals and organizations who want to support this mission.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This spring's weather has brought abundant blossoms, but also news of abundant school budget cuts for next year. Educating our children is very important to the community's future, but reductions in state funding are making this more challenging than ever before.

IPEI believes that the best way we can help is to continue to facilitate community connections and support for teachers and students that enhance their educational experience.

We do this through our grants programs that bring people and materials into the classrooms, the Kids Discover the Trail! collaboration which links elementary students with the Discovery Trail, our awards programs that encourage achievement in both teachers and students, our IPEI Roundtable conversations for community groups to share ideas and resources, and through support of our affiliates: the Fine Arts Booster Group and the Code Red Robotics Team.

In its 13 year history, IPEI has not funded what has traditionally been covered with school budget funding. Instead, our role has been to expand every tax dollar spent by connecting kids to community resources that enhance the curriculum, provide hands on experiences, inspire excellence, and stimulate imaginations.

Now more than ever, every gift to IPEI is important and will be put to work for students and teachers. Our sole source of funding is from gifts and grants from individuals, local businesses, and foundations. Whether you have ever made a donation or not, please, if you can, consider a gift to IPEI. There is so much to do!

Thank you.
Terry Byrnes

"Connecting School and Community" Campaign

All gifts to IPEI are tax deductible and support the overall mission and programs of IPEI. In addition, special sponsorship opportunities are available for all our programs and affiliates.

We gladly accept gifts of cash as checks or as credit card transactions at any time using this downloadable form. Credit card gifts can also be made by phone to 607-256-IPEI (4734).

Online contributions through the PayPal process are secure and convenient.

We can also provide letters acknowledging in-kind contributions if the donor establishes the value.

Gifts of securities (stocks and bonds) can be used to support IPEI, following these instructions. In addition to the IRS income tax deduction benefits, you may also reduce or eliminate your capital gains tax by making gifts of IRA distributions to charitable organizations such as IPEI.

We encourage donors considering gifts of retirement plans, life insurance, real estate, and bequests to work with your own professional adviser. IPEI has a volunteer with expertise in the field of gift planning who can also assist with such transactions.

Almost 600 individuals, businesses, and other organizations provided support to the students and teachers of the Ithaca schools and to the mission of IPEI with their gifts and grants, July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009. We would like to thank all of who provided support during the fiscal year covered by our Report to the Community: 2008 - 09.

Giving Opportunities

Gifts of any size may be designated for:

  • Wherever the need is greatest
  • Teacher Grants
  • Fine Arts Booster Group
  • Kids Discover the Trail!
  • Red and Gold Opportunities Grants
  • Code Red Robotics

Corporate Honor Roll

IPEI announced its first ever Corporate Honor Roll as part of our Tenth Anniversary in 2006 to recognize local organizations that have been supportive of IPEI and its programs. Strong local schools are essential for a strong community. Local businesses and corporations can participate in strengthening public education through IPEI's activities.

Designated Award Funds

IPEI provides community members with a way to recognize and honor special people and support public education at the same time. Endowments enhance the future of our schools and preserve the memory of those honored. Donors can establish their own awards or the following established funds can receive additional gifts at any time.

Learn more about how you can make a contribution or volunteer your time and expertise.


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