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.

Inspire...Partner...Explore...Initiate

Somewhere in a classroom in the Ithaca City School District, students are being inspired by a remarkable learning opportunity.

They are doing something out-of-the-ordinary because their teacher took the initiative to work with a community partner on a project funded by an IPEI grant.

Somewhere, at one of our museums, a child is exploring the natural world or gazing at an astonishingly old fossil or an awe-inspiring painting.

Your generous support for IPEI’s annual fund ensures that every student in our district visits our partners, the Discovery Trail’s seven museums and the public library, during their elementary school years through Kids Discover the Trail!.

Last year alone, thanks to donors like you, IPEI was able to provide $100,000 in funding to teachers, students, and community members through our Teacher Grants, Red and Gold Grants, and Community Collaboration Grants.

One of our longtime friends and supporters hit the nail on the head recently when he said, “IPEI isn’t a frill.” Since its inception, 16 years ago, IPEI has played an ever more important and essential role.

IPEI strives to inspire, partner, explore and initiate, and encourage others to do the same. We’re proud of all that your help has made possible, in and out of the classroom.

Your generosity inspires us every day. We are proud to number you among our partners and we hope you’ll take the initiative today and contribute to IPEI!

With sincere thanks,
Terry Byrnes
Board President

"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, 2012 - June 30, 2013. We would like to thank all of who provided support during the fiscal year covered by our Report to the Community: 2011 - 12.

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 Grants
  • Community Collaboration 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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