PRACTICES OF NEBRASKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE ACQUISITION AND UTILIZATION OF PRIVATE REVENUE (DONATIONS, FUND-RAISING)

The purpose of this study was to investigate acquisition and utilization of private revenue by selected Nebraska public elementary and secondary schools. This revenue was derived from school-sponsored fund-raising activities, school-related fund-raising activities, gifts, and memorials. The private revenue was utilized for facilities, equipment, scholarships, salaries, other designated and other non-designated projects. The following were considered as part of this investigation: (1) The extent of acquisition and utilization of private revenues. (2) The magnitude (dollar amount) of private revenue generated by Nebraska public schools. (3) The attitudes of selected Nebraska superintendents toward the acquisition and utilization of private revenue. (4) School participation and interest in participating in school and/or community foundations. (5) Existing and needed board of education policies related to private revenue. The setting for this study included Nebraska public school districts in the classes II, III and VI, for the school year 1983-84. The public school districts in Nebraska are primarily rural in nature. Most of Nebraska\u27s public school districts serve an enrollment which would be considered small when compared with the national average. Of the 992 public schools in Nebraska, 309 were utilized for this study. The study provided information to support the following summary of selected conclusions: (1) A total of 869 private revenue projects were identified from data submitted which was relevant to the 1982-83 school year. (2) A total of 98 private revenue projects in excess of $5,000 each were reported by selected school districts. (3) A total of 29 private revenue projects in 25 school districts were reported to be in excess of $10,000. (4) Superintendents indicated that they would solicit private revenue from specific sources for particular uses. While only 19 Nebraska school districts reported that their district participated in an already established foundation, 73 superintendents expressed an interest in creating a school or community foundation. In 127 instances Nebraska public school superintendents indicated a concern about the lack of board of education policies related to the acquisition and utilization of private revenue