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What is the IGH BEST Foundation?
The Inver Grove Heights BEST Foundation was created to provide
scholarships for students graduating from Simley High School. The first
year scholarships were awarded through the Foundation was 1988, with
$2,000 in scholarships awarded. In May 2010, 109 scholarships totaling
$147,200 were awarded. |
What does “BEST” stand for?
The letters B-E-S-T stand for Better Educated Students of Today, which
captures the spirit of the foundation. We believe that “Better Educated
Students of Today” will become “Community Leaders Tomorrow.” |
How does the IGH BEST Foundation get its funds?
The IGH BEST Foundation receives its funds primarily from individuals
and businesses who want to invest in the graduates of Simley High
School. The foundation also sponsors three fund-raisers annually, a
“Cadillac” dinner and silent auction in late winter, a 5K run/walk in
May and a golf tournament in August.
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How are the funds used?
Undesignated funds are used to fund the IGH BEST Foundation
scholarships for Simley students. Donors may also designate their
contributions to a specific established scholarship fund, or create a
new scholarship. |
Why should I donate? Don’t my tax dollars take care of the public education needs in the community?
Your taxes support fine public education in Inver Grove Heights.
However, by donating funds to the IGH BEST Foundation, you can be part
of an important community effort to provide the extra funds needed to
really make a difference in the lives of individual students. |
Is it possible for me to specify toward which scholarship I would like my donation applied?
Yes. A donation can be designated to support an established endowed scholarship, or may go into the general scholarship fund.
Gifts to the Foundation can, if you wish, be designated to allow for
the perpetuation of an individual’s or a family name. A $10,000 minimum
is required to establish a new endowed scholarship.
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How do students get IGH BEST Foundation scholarships?
The Scholarship Booklet is available for all Simley seniors in
February. The booklet has listed the criteria for each scholarship, and
the application process is fully explained to the students. After the
students fill out the application and indicate the scholarships for
which they are applying, the Simley Career Center coordinator enters
the information in the computer to be sorted and ranked. A committee
made up of community members and teachers uses the computerized
information to award the scholarships to the students best meeting the
criteria. |
Does the IGH BEST Foundation accept anything other than cash donations?
Yes. The IGH BEST Foundation will accept donations of property and
in-kind gifts. Gifts may also be designated to be granted at a later
time, for example, through bequests or as memorials. |
Is there a minimum dollar amount accepted?
The IGH BEST Foundation will accept any donation, no matter the size,
from $1 to $1 million. We encourage everyone to donate, but understand
that financial restraints do exist. |
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes. All donations to the IGH BEST Foundation are fully tax deductible.
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Does my donation directly benefit students?
Yes. The Foundation has made a commitment to keep overhead costs as low
as possible. Funds raised by the annual fund-raisers pay for printing
and administrative costs. |
How do I make a gift to the Inver Grove Heights BEST Foundation?
Donations may be mailed to:
IGH BEST Foundation
P.O. Box 2276
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
If you wish to establish a scholarship, please call Joe Atkins, Executive Director, 651-451-6411.
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