THE SOCRATES ACADEMY FOUNDATION
Our Foundation's Mission
The Socrates Academy Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3), community organization founded in 2008 in order to support the Socrates Academy, Inc. charter school. Its mission is to act as the fundraising arm of the Socrates Academy. All programs, projects and activities funded through the Foundation shall be used to enhance the Academy's educational programs and will be in alignment with its strategic plan, mission statement, goals, and budget considerations.
Foundation Members
Mitch Christenbury
Vice President
mchristenbury@socratesacademy.us
Despina Koumantaros, B.A.
Treasurer
dkoumantaros@socratesacademy.us
Socrates Foundation Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Socrates Academy need to raise funds? Isn't it a public school?
Socrates Academy operates as both a public and charter school within North Carolina's educational landscape. Despite its public designation, the school operates under the charter school model. This means that annually, it receives a predetermined stipend per student from state and local government funds. Notably, this funding does not cover expenses for facilities, transportation services, or salary enhancements for educators holding advanced degrees.
Consequently, Socrates Academy must finance its facility needs through a combination of general operating revenues, privately sourced funds, or collaborative partnerships with external organizations. Simply put, any initiative to acquire or construct new facilities necessitates self-generated financial resources.
What is the difference between Annual Funds and Capital Funds?
Annual funds cover day-to-day operational expenses in a school, including salaries, enrichments, maintenance, and supplies. Conversely, capital funds are allocated for "brick and mortar" projects. Notably, North Carolina charter schools solely receive operational funding, lacking capital funding. Therefore, financing for building projects must be sourced from donations or private loans.
Are we seeking support from outside the school community?
External support will play a vital role in our endeavor to secure the necessary funds for acquiring land and constructing a new building for our High School. However, when seeking assistance from external sources, their initial query often revolves around our internal fundraising efforts. Hence, achieving 100% participation internally is paramount at this stage to bolster our credibility and leverage when engaging with external stakeholders. The Fundraising Committee remains committed to seeking potential donors beyond our school community.
How will my funds be used?
Donations to the Socrates Academy Capital Campaign are used to enhance and grow the school’s infrastructure and campus. In the past, the Capital Campaign has helped the school purchase additional land, construct our Middle School facility, and build an all new 4th and 5th grade facility.
What is a Matching Gift Program?
When a company or corporation provides gift matching, it signifies that when an employee makes a charitable donation to a non-profit organization, the corporation commits to matching that contribution with an equal amount to the same non-profit organization.
For instance, if you're employed by Wells Fargo and decide to donate $50.00 monthly to Socrates Academy via bank draft, Wells Fargo would match that amount, effectively doubling your contribution. Consequently, Socrates Academy would receive $100.00 monthly, totaling $1200.00 annually!
Explore our list of companies known to have Matching Gift programs below.
Click here to see a list of companies we know that DO have Matching Gift programs
Contact Us
If you have any question about the Foundation, fundraising or would like additional information about upcoming initiatives, please feel free to contact us at:
Socrates Academy Foundation
3909 Weddington Road
Matthews, NC 28105
704-321-1711 X138