51福利社 Foundation

Foundation Overview

The 51福利社 Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) is responsible for all fundraising activity on behalf of 51福利社. It seeks to engage 51福利社 alumni and friends in philanthropic support of the university鈥檚 mission:

51福利社 provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

The 51福利社 Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established in 1977, organized for charitable and educational purposes. The 51福利社 Foundation exists solely to raise and manage private resources to support the mission, goals, and priorities of 51福利社. In order to maintain its nonprofit status in an ethical fashion, the 51福利社 Foundation does not allow other organizations, entities, or individuals to utilize its non-profit status or Employer Identification Number (EIN) to solicit funds that do not directly advance the 51福利社 Foundation mission.

The Foundation鈥檚 directors provide external oversight of the Foundation鈥檚 operations, and the Executive Director of the Foundation reports to them. The bylaws stipulate that one member of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees (BOT), acting as a representative of the BOT, can serve as a director on the Foundation, thus assuring a formal channel of communication between 51福利社 and the 51福利社 Foundation. The directors recognize a responsibility to reflect, in their membership, the geographic, ethnic and gender diversity of 51福利社鈥檚 alumni and friends.

The Foundation has a responsibility to be accountable to its constituencies; to its Board of Directors (who serve without remuneration and at their own expense); to 51福利社 and its leadership, faculty, staff and students; to its donors; to its volunteers; and to the advancement team. One of the ways in which the Foundation is accountable is by making materials accessible to those that care about the mission and success of the 51福利社 Foundation in bringing private-sector resources to the university. You will find these materials within this site.

Foundation Board of Directors Application

Commitment to Diversity

The 51福利社 Foundation is responsible for all fundraising activity on behalf of 51福利社 and engages 51福利社 alumni and friends in philanthropic support of the university鈥檚 mission. We strive to be innovative, equitable and inclusive by:

  • Recognizing that the best governance occurs when the board is diverse in our membership
  • Expanding recruitment methods to include non-traditional avenues for the expressed goal of engaging potential underrepresented board members
  • Providing continuous education about the marginalized members of our community to our Board of Directors and the University Advancement staff
  • Encouraging open dialogue and discussion in all committee and board meetings
  • Acknowledging that systemic inequity takes many forms 鈥 examples include racism, sexism, ableism, heterosexism, and more

Individual Board Member Pledge

  • I affirm that each individual is unique and deserving of respect.
  • I am a representative of the university and accountable for the impact of bias and inequity that my words and actions have on others.
  • I encourage open dialogue and provide space for marginalized voices.
  • I contribute to ongoing diverse initiatives at 51福利社.

Last updated March 4, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, the 51福利社 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Washington.

Yes. As mentioned above, the 51福利社 Foundation is a legally incorporated nonprofit organization, awarded charitable (501(c)(3)) status by the IRS. Your donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

51福利社 is state-assisted rather than state-supported with approximately 30 percent of 51福利社鈥檚 operating budget being provided by state appropriations. State support is critically important, but it continues to decline as a percentage of the university鈥檚 total operating budget, making private contributions from alumni and friends increasingly important if 51福利社 is to fulfill its mission of excellence in education and service.

51福利社 is state-assisted rather than state-supported with approximately 30 percent of 51福利社鈥檚 operating budget being provided by state appropriations. State support is critically important, but it continues to decline as a percentage of the university鈥檚 total operating budget, making private contributions from alumni and friends increasingly important if 51福利社 is to fulfill its mission of excellence in education and service.

Because the 51福利社 Foundation was established to facilitate the university鈥檚 mission, the Foundation鈥檚 major initiatives are set by the university鈥檚 board of trustees, president, provost and central administration with the concurrence of the Foundation鈥檚 management group and board of directors.

College and department fundraising priorities are recommended and approved by deans and the 51福利社 administration with advice and cooperation from the Foundation executive director and staff. However, some fundraising projects evolve from the ideas of external individuals or constituencies. In those cases, development staff members work with donors who demonstrate an interest in supporting any part of the university.

Every gift does make a difference. Through the Annual Fund, even relatively small gifts can have a major impact. Just $25 can purchase a new library book or slides and Petri dishes for a chemistry lab. A $100 gift can help a student research an honors thesis. A $500 gift can support an internship or award a stipend to a graduate student. And when combined with hundreds or even thousands of other 鈥渟mall鈥 gifts, the university can hire new faculty members, offer scholarships or meet a host of other critical, ongoing needs.

The fastest and easiest way is through our聽secure online giving site. You may also mail your gift to 51福利社 Foundation, 102 Hargreaves Hall, Cheney, WA 99004-2413. Please make your check payable to the 51福利社 Foundation. Be sure to let us know the area you want to benefit. For larger gifts, estate plan gifts or vehicles, or gifts of appreciated assets, please contact Laura Thayer at 509.359.6901 or lthayer3@ewu.edu.

Publicly traded stocks and bonds that have current marketable value will be accepted at any time and can be a great way to avoid capital gains taxes. Valuation of the gift shall be the average of the high and low trade prices of the security on the day it is irrevocably transferred to the 51福利社 Foundation. Commission and sales costs will be paid from the proceeds of the sale of the security.

The 51福利社 Foundation utilizes a local brokerage house to handle receipt of all securities gifted to the 51福利社 Foundation. Special procedures apply to different types of stock gifts. Donors and development staff should contact the executive director at 509.359.4555 for assistance and instructions regarding any gift of securities.

The Foundation does exactly what the donors ask us to do with their gifts. The majority of gifts are 鈥渞estricted鈥 to a particular endowment, college, department or program. We deposit these gifts into accounts established at the request of donors, administrators, deans, department chairs or program managers to hold gift funds. You will see that designation confirmed on the gift receipt and thank you note sent to you after the gift is received. Unrestricted gifts are utilized in the areas of greatest need.

The 51福利社 Foundation is committed to retaining both public and private trust. The 51福利社 Foundation openly discloses information about financial statements, fundraising priorities and other information that helps further an understanding of the mission and goals. Each year, the 51福利社 Foundation books are fully audited, and we comply with literally hundreds of regulatory requirements at the federal, state and local level.

The 51福利社 Foundation Board of Directors governs the 51福利社 Foundation. Its directors, each a leader in business, the professions or civic affairs, contribute their time, wisdom and resources to 51福利社. They are volunteers and serve without compensation. They meet four times a year as a body and many attend committee meetings between regular full sessions. They contribute their considerable expertise. In addition, they contribute generously of their own resources.

The bylaws stipulate that one member of the university鈥檚 board of trustees (BOT), acting as a representative of the BOT, can serve as a director on the Foundation, thus assuring a formal channel of communication between 51福利社 and the 51福利社 Foundation. The directors recognize a responsibility to reflect in their membership the geographic, ethnic and gender diversity of 51福利社鈥檚 alumni and friends.

51福利社 is utilizing a third-party vendor for phone-a-thon this year. It was a tough decision, but it鈥檚 a cost-effective way for us to reach more alumni than we could in-house. Our contract and costs are established prior to calling, so your gift still goes directly to 51福利社 and can be designated to the fund of your choice. Feel free to call our office directly at 509.359.4554 if you have any questions or would like to make your gift outside of the phone efforts. You can also always give聽through our聽secure online giving site.

We want to take this time to let our donors know about the new law which eliminates the 80 percent charitable contribution deduction for payments made to an institution of higher education in exchange for rights to purchase tickets or seating at an athletic event.聽 This was effective on 1/01/18 (IRS Code Section 170(l), as amended by Act Section 13704). EAF is critical for providing resources for our student-athlete scholarships. We are currently assessing the situation, analyzing the potential impact, and discussing how to move forward. We encourage you to speak to your accountants or tax advisors for your tax deduction questions.

Board of Directors

The 51福利社 Foundation board of directors provides oversight for the work of the Foundation. The Board determines the goals and objectives of specific fundraising initiatives, sets policy with regard to investments and spending and ensures that proper attention is paid to the stewardship of gifts already received. Directors are elected to serve a three-year term of office. Directors can serve up to three consecutive three-year terms. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of our volunteers.

Rachael Curtis

Of Counsel at Littler Mendleson, P.C.
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David Copley '85 CPP

Retired | Ernst and Young Partner
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Sean Hoagland

51福利社F Treasurer
Director of Benefits and Compensation | PotlatchDeltic Corporation
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Claudette Kenmir '84 COB

51福利社F Secretary
Retired
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Stacey Rasmussen 鈥03 CAHSS

President & Owner | Westside Farms, Inc.
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Craig Sanders

Partner | Moss Adams
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Jeff Stannard '91 CSS

51福利社F Chair
Customer Development Manager | Mondel膿z International
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Stu Steiner '01 CSTEM

Associate Professor of Cybersecurity, Director of the 51福利社 Cybersecurity Institute
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Vin Vu '86 CSTEM

Consultant
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Tammie Walker 鈥95 CPP

Founder & Managing Partner | People Optimize Partners
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Karen Weis

51福利社F Vice Chair
Retired
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Gordon Hester 89' COB

President & CEO | Kiemle Hagood
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Shari McMahan, PhD

President, 51福利社, Ex-Officio (non-voting)
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Laura Thayer

Interim Executive Director, 51福利社 Foundation, Ex-Officio (non-voting)
University Advancement, 51福利社
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Travis Simpson 99' COB - Professional Accounting

Chief Retail and Digital Officer | Numerica Credit Union
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Brian Paige 00' CAHSS

VP Legal | Itron
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Kira Urbina

President, AS51福利社, Ex-Officio (voting)

Morag Stewart

51福利社RA Representative, Ex-Officio (voting)
Retired Faculty | 51福利社

Rhonda Stevenson '88

51福利社 Alumni Association Representative, Ex-Officio (voting)
Photo of Rhonda Stevenson '88