BRIS FOUNDATION FAQS

How was the BRIS Foundation conceived?

While working on gala sponsorships in 2008, several committee members identified missed opportunities in garnering corporate sponsorships. We noticed that many potential sponsors were fascinated and wanted to learn more about BRIS. However, the controllers of these corporate budgets demand more support on how a contribution would benefit their businesses.

When was the BRIS Foundation formed?

In January 2009, BRIS formed a committee to explore a corporate support organization for BRIS. The committee determined that a formal foundation must be developed to move forward with BRIS’s ambitious campus master plan.

The BRIS Foundation was formally organized on April 24, 2009. The IRS granted tax exempt status on October 20, 2009.

Why does BRIS need a Foundation?

Fundraising - BRIS is a private school and receives neither public nor parochial support. The BRIS community participates 100% in fundraising. Because an international school is good for the community, the economy and the quality of life in Baton Rouge, there are untapped resources available to support BRIS. Forming a separate entity for fundraising has many advantages. The BRIS Foundation will strive to keep teachers focused on teaching and the administrators focused on managing the school by relieving them of a large part of the fundraising duties.

Lasting legacy – as an example, our campus master plan provides for an international cultural center. The center will be available to host functions, such as international festivals which will be open to the community. The international cultural center is an excellent opportunity for a family or company to name a BRIS building, create a lasting legacy and support our great school.

Community outreach – the BRIS Foundation seeks scholarship grants and donations. We aspire to fund low income, high achieving students who would not otherwise be able to attend our great school.

Autonomy - Freedom from BRIS control means that the BRIS Foundation Board will be able to direct how Foundation funds will be used.

Performance – the BRIS Board will capably manage the performance of Foundation funds by drawing on the expertise certified financial professionals.

Separation of accounts – by separating the BRIS Foundation’s accounts from the school’s accounts, we avoid commingling funds and thereby divert some risk.

Access to capital – Rather than further indebting the school, loans to build out the campus master plan may be obtained on the basis of Foundation assets.

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Investment – BRIS will have the freedom to invest surplus funds in an investment account.

Accountability and transparency – the BRIS Foundation has and will continue to make its financial statements and tax returns publicly available.

How is the BRIS Foundation organized?

1. Foundation purposes – The BRIS Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the purposes of the Foundation:

a. shall be exclusively educational and charitableb. specifically, the purpose is to develop an independent financial base from which

to support and enhance programs of Baton Rouge International School within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2. Louisiana Non-Profit Corporation - The BRIS Foundation is a Louisiana non-profit corporation formed pursuant to Title 12 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.3. Bylaws - The Foundation adopted bylaws on May 28, 2009. The bylaws govern the Board of Directors, Committees, Officers and administration of the Foundation.

a. The Bylaws provide for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 11 Directors. Currently, Wendi Loup serves as Secretary/Treasurer, Hafid Laroussi serves as President and Chip Lambert serves as Vice-President. Future Directors will be elected as the Foundation begins operations.b. The BRIS Foundation Advisory Committee is comprised of 16 individuals who have contributed their input, time, talents and contacts to help form the BRIS Foundation. As the Foundation matures, the Board will ensure Foundation representation for various BRIS community groups, such as the business club, parent organization, athletics, etc. See document “Board Biographies” under Info for qualifications of the Directors and the Advisory Committee members.

What controls are in place to safeguard precious funds?

1. Fiduciary Duty - The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors who owe a fiduciary duty to the Foundation and who have taken an oath to discharge the duties of their respective positions in good faith, and with that diligence, care, judgment and skill which ordinarily prudent men would exercise under similar circumstances in like positions.2. Accounts – The BRIS Foundation has obtained 2 donated savings accounts and 1 donated checking account.

a. The higher yield savings account at B&K Bank will safeguard larger funds and access to this account will be limited to 2 authorized officers.b. The Main Street Financial FCU savings and checking accounts will be used as operating accounts. Only as much funds as are needed for daily operation will be maintained in these accounts. The Treasurer will safeguarded the checks and will closely monitor the accounts via online banking.c. The BRIS Foundation will open an investment account when there are surplus funds available to invest.

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How are funds accounted for?

The Treasurer currently uses QuickBooks to maintain the BRIS Foundation accounts.

What are the duties of the BRIS Foundation Directors?

The Directors administer the affairs of the Foundation. The Foundation’s affairs include:

Sourcing assets to fund the Foundation Investing the assets of the Foundation

Ensuring Foundation property is preserved and productive for BRIS

Accounting for and reporting periodically to BRIS concerning all transactions associated with Foundation property

Filing any required tax returns on behalf of the Foundation; and

Deciding whether BRIS should receive Foundation assets for its benefit. Note that the circumstances in which this discretionary authority is exercised by Directors is governed by the BRIS Foundation Articles of Incorporation.

Does the BRIS Foundation compensate any of its volunteers?

1. Compensation for Directors and Advisory Committee Members is prohibiteda. Article 3.16 of the BRIS Foundation Bylaws provides: “The Foundation shall not pay any compensation to directors for their services rendered to the Foundation.”

b. “The Foundation may reimburse the Directors for reasonable expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties to the Foundation.”

c. To date, Directors and Committee Members have volunteered all time and have made donations to cover the expenses necessary to organize the Foundation and to pay for the tax-exempt application.

2. The Foundation will hire an Executive Director to operate the Foundation when feasible. The Executive Director will receive a reasonable salary commensurate with education, experience and resources of the Foundation.

Why Should Potential Donors Care about BRIS?

International

International Trade and Investment – international companies locating in our City demand an international education for their children.

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Language preservation – organizations interested in preserving and promoting the French, Spanish and Mandarin languages are interested in our school.

National

U.S. schools are not adequately preparing students for the global challenges our children will face.

Surveys conducted by the Asia Society (2002) and National Geographic Society (2002) indicate that, compared with students in nine other industrialized countries, U.S. students lack knowledge of world geography, history, and current events;

Shockingly few U.S. students learn languages that large numbers of people speak, such as Chinese (1.3 billion speakers).

Many countries in Europe and Asia are preparing their students for the global age by:

o raising their levels of education attainment;

o emphasizing international knowledge, skills, and language acquisition;

o fostering respect for other cultures.

Baton Rouge International School addresses these needs with a rigorous, multilingual curriculum which adheres to international academic standards.

Local

BRIS is good for the Baton Rouge economy and quality of life in our community. BRIS helps to rebrand Baton Rouge as a community that aspires to understand

other peoples, cultures and, moreover, our own identity.

BRIS is diverse both culturally and socioeconomically; a microcosm of a better Baton Rouge.

BRIS will produce future world leaders with the language skills necessary to contribute to America’s competitiveness.

French and Spanish immersion help to preserve the unique culture and identity of Louisiana. This is important to both tourism and Louisiana’s national rank; and

Multilingual opportunities will aid in workforce attraction and retention, not to mention, international investment in Baton Rouge.

What are the next steps for the BRIS Foundation?

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We must all work together to match the vision of the BRIS campus to the vision of the school.

The Foundation structure is in place to manage our efforts.

All we need now is your help to communicate the BRIS vision locally, nationally and internationally.

The BRIS Foundation is organizing an investor presentation and a growth campaign to raise money to build the first phase of the campus master plan.

With the collective efforts of our multi-talented BRIS community, we can show the world that yes, Baton Rouge is capable of becoming the next great American city.

Questions?

Please direct any questions about the BRIS Foundation to wendiloup@cox.net

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