“A society grows great when one plants trees in whose shade
they know they shall never sit” ~ Anonymous Greek Proverb

Excellent public schools will require additional private funding over the long term. Recognizing this, many years ago MBEF created an Endowment Fund with an initial investment of $10,000.  Today, through donations along with proceeds from our Manhattan Wine Auction and investment gains, our Endowment has grown to over $7 million (9/2011).

The fund follows a prudent, long-term investment strategy overseen by MBEF’s investment committee, MBEF’s Chief Investment Officer, Rich Weiss, and our Endowment Chair, Sheri Leitzow. Although our nation is suffering through a recession, the fund’s  investment portfolio performed well compared to relevant investment and competitive benchmarks.

A portion of the fund’s return on investment may be used once the Endowment reaches $10 million.  This revenue will provide an additional source of funding for our school programs and lessen MBEF’s dependence on annual fundraising. Anyone can give to MBEF’s Endowment to make a long-term investment in the quality of our public schools and our children’s futures. Gifts can come in many sizes and forms, such as current or planned giving. For more information on ways to give to the Endowment, please contact Susan Warshaw, MBEF Executive Director, at susan@mbef.org or Ms. Lietzow at slietzow@verizon.net.

MBEF Endowment Fund Donors

MBEF is thankful for the generosity of the following Endowment donors:

Who can give to the MBEF Endowment and how?
We invite our alumni, friends and neighbors to partner with us in providing an educational experience that will help our students realize their own capacities to the fullest. You are investing in an exciting legacy of discovery, creativity and leadership.

An endowment gift is one where the principal donation is maintained in perpetuity and only a portion of the annual investment return is spent. Surplus earnings are reinvested in the endowment so that over the years, the fund can grow and provide long-term financial security.

Outright Gifts  Gifts of cash, securities or other property provide the Endowment with immediate financial assistance.

Pledge  A pledge is a formal statement to make a gift to the MBEF Endowment Fund. Many donors choose to complete their pledge by making regular payments over a period of time. This method allows donors to give more generously than they might have originally considered. We encourage payment of pledges within five years of the original commitment, with the exception of gifts through wills and estate plans.

Matching Gifts  Many corporations encourage employee philanthropy by matching or multiplying their employees’ gifts to the Endowment. Before you make a gift, you may want to ask whether your employer participate in such a program.

Planned Giving  One of the easiest and most common ways to give is through a gift in your will or living trust. Your gift may be made in your name or to memorialize a loved one. You may choose to leave a specific dollar amount, a particular piece of real or personal property, a percentage of the estate, all or a portion of the residue of the estate following the satisfaction of other bequests, or a combination of the above. When you decide to remember The MBEF Endowment in your will, please notify our MBEF Executive Director and Endowment Chair.

Why do we need an Endowment Fund? The Endowment Fund will allow MBEF to provide a more secure source of long-term funding for enhanced educational programs and activities, while lessening the Foundation’s dependence on annual fundraising.

Currently, MBEF is charged with raising over $4 million each year to support existing school programs. While the annual appeal has historically reached its goal – and sometimes surpassed it – virtually all of the money raised in a year gets spent in the following year, and then the process must begin again. The success of this annual fundraising effort is dependent upon the generosity of our donors, our ability to attract volunteers, the state of the economy, immediate school and community issues, and other factors sometimes beyond the control of MBEF.

What is the current status of the Endowment Fund? Formally created in 1991, the Endowment Fund has grown to just over $7 million as of September, 2011.

When does MBEF expect to use income from the Endowment Fund? The MBEF has established an initial fundraising target for the Endowment of $10 million. Funds may not be transferred out of the Endowment Fund until the fund balance exceeds $10 million. After that, MBEF may use only a portion of the return on investsment from the fund (subject to certain limitations in our bylaws).

How do I know the Endowment money is being invested wisely? Consistent with the MBEF’s Investment Policy Statement, which sets forth the specific investment guidelines, the Endowment Fund is invested across a well-diversified portfolio of investments. Since the implementation of this Investment Policy in early 2005, the Endowment portfolio has managed to show a healthy gain despite the recession and recent bear market.

Who is the Endowment Investment Committee? The MBEF Investment Committee is comprised of MBEF’s Chief Investment Officer, the Treasurer, the Endowment Chair, at least two additional Directors, and such other persons as may be appointed by the MBEF Board of Directors.

Are my donations tax-deductible?
The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation is a California non-profit, public benefit, corporation under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal tax ID number for the Foundation is 95-3881166. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Further questions?