Foundation FAQ’s

Q. What is the Lancer Foundation?

A. The Lancer Foundation is a community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing and directing funding for the realization of educational, cultural, and athletic programs and capital improvement projects for the enrichment and enhancement of the students of the Loyalsock Township School District.

Q.  How is the Lancer Foundation different from other organizations (e.g. the Alumni Association, All Sports Boosters)?

A.  The Lancer Foundation is unique in that it strives to raise significant resources through professional fundraising methods to enable programs, projects and capital improvements which will benefit the entire Loyalsock Township School District. The Lancer Foundation fully endorses the above organizations for the outstanding services they provide to all current and graduated high school students.

Q.  Is the Lancer Foundation part of the Loyalsock Township School District?

A. No. The Lancer Foundation is a separate and independent 501(c) (3) organization. Foundation board members are from the business community and community-at-large. The LTSD superintendent, Gerald McLaughlin, and the LTSD Business Manager, Daniel Egly, serve as Advisors to the Lancer Foundation Board of Directors and have no voting authority. The Foundation is fully endorsed by the LTSD School Board.

Q.  What are the priorities and of the Lancer Foundation?

A. One of the initial goals of the Lancer Foundation was to establish itself as a professional fundraising organization, whose beneficiaries are the students of the Loyalsock Township School District. The Foundation has achieved that goal. The Foundation continues to foster and build strong and successful partnerships among the community, LTHS alumni, and the Loyalsock Township School District. Ultimately, the Foundation aims to raise significant funds to create a long-term endowment, facilitate the realization of the strategic plan, and ultimately serve as the catalyst for the “good intentions” of individuals, companies, and organizations that wish to help the Loyalsock Township School District reach its “dream” of becoming the best school district in the nation.

Q. Why Should I contribute to the lancer Foundation when I already pay taxes to the Loyalsock Township School District?

A. Because the most basic and reasonable needs of the school district continue to exceed the capacity of traditional funding sources (i.e. tax revenues and state/federal government support) – a trend that is unfortunately likely to continue. The Lancer Foundation hopes to encourage businesses and individuals in the Loyalsock community to invest more directly and effectively in the students of the LTSD. By maintaining high standards of excellence, the LTSD hopes to build on its recent achievements and meet the challenges of the 21st century and thus ensure a high return on the community’s investment in education.

Q.  If I make a donation to the Lancer Foundation, am I paying for staff and operations?

A. A portion of unrestricted donations helps to support the Foundation’s office operations. The majority of operation expenses are funded by pledges and contributions made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. 100% of restricted/designated money raised in support of specific programs and projects will be used in their entirety for that purpose.

Q.  How does the Lancer Foundation select the programs and initiatives it supports?

A. The special committees, appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, considers and recommends programs to the Foundation. Many programs and initiatives the Foundation has approved are related to the objectives set forth in the  strategic plan. The committee analyzes each program and presents its recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors for approval.

Q.  Are there opportunities to make donations in “honor of” or in “memory” of an individual or family?

A. Yes. What better way to honor or memorialize a loved one than to make a donation in their honor/memory. Please contact Mr. Dan Egly at degly@ltsd.k12.pa.us if you are interested in more information.

Q.  Can I direct my donation to a specific program/project or does it have to go in a general fund?

A. Donations may either be designated as “general” or directed to a specific program or project that has already been approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. If a donor wishes to make a contribution to a new program or project, the Foundation will serve as a liaison between the donor and the school board to facilitate definition and approval of the program or project.