Metcalfe Staff and Alumni form Educational Foundation

By Torrie Osbon

Director of Communications

 

School district staff and alumni have announced the formation of the Metcalfe County Educational Foundation (MCEF). The Foundation has legal 501(c)(3) standing and serves as the preeminent vehicle for charitable giving for educational purposes to advance opportunities for Metcalfe County students.

The MCEF articles of incorporation state, “The mission of the Corporation/Foundation is to create and foster an enduring legacy of support and prosperity for Metcalfe County, Kentucky’s next generation. The Foundation is committed to continuously building a community of support, improving the lives of Metcalfe County Schools’ students and alumni, and advancing the future of our schools and community.”

Metcalfe County Schools Director of Communications Torrie Osbon explained the process involved in the formation of the Foundation, “When I first came to work for the district, one of the first things (former superintendent) Dr. Lile spoke with me about was the creation of an educational foundation. It has been a long process, but we are so excited to finally announce the creation of what we believe will be an organization that can have a lasting impact on the lives of our students.”

Lile added, “Our goal is to provide a single point of giving for those who wish to be part of providing expanded opportunities for our students. Initially, we are focusing on three areas of emphasis: academic talent identification, particularly for underserved students, civic engagement, and scholarships. Our intent is that all scholarships will ultimately funnel through the Foundation, which can serve as a clearinghouse for the donations and ensure the longevity of specific scholarships. Certainly, we hope to expand to many  different projects in the future, but for now, this will be our emphasis.”

Both Lile and Osbon indicated the newly formed board of directors studied several existing educational foundations to develop a direction and mission that would be unique to Metcalfe County. The board wanted to ensure the Foundation included but was not limited to serving students who might not otherwise have opportunities outside of the regular school day.

MCHS alumnus JP Blevins said, “I first spoke with Dr. Lile and some other school folks a few years ago concerning what needs the district might have. When he shared the pending formation of this Foundation, I knew they were moving in the right direction. Not only will this be an efficient vehicle for alumni to share charitable gifts, but it will also help a lot of kids in Metcalfe County.”

Chamber of Commerce Director and MCEF board member Kim Harwood said, “People often think that when a business or an individual is looking to locate in our community, they are only interested in assessment results for the schools. It goes much further than this. People want to see a structure of support around our youth and our educational institutions. The MCEF provides just such support.”

Superintendent Josh Hurt voiced his support, “I have been kept informed of the activities of the proposed Foundation from the beginning. While MCEF is affiliated with our schools, it absolutely acts as an independent entity. I look forward to a strong working relationship through the coming years.”

A future goal of the Foundation is to work conjointly with the Metcalfe County Alumni Association to provide far-reaching services for both students and graduates of Metcalfe County Schools.