(CENTREVILLE) – The Glen Oaks Board of Trustees received an update recently on the Glen Oaks Foundation.

During their November meeting, the Board heard a presentation from Foundation Executive Director Vonda Morrow. She walked the Board of Trustees through the major highlights and accomplishments the Foundation has achieved since she became the Executive Director in 2018.

The Foundation Board is a 15 member volunteer board that is focused on being sustainable and highly effective to meet current and future needs. Morrow says the members began by reviewing policies, procedures, finances, and endowment management. The result of that work was updated bylaws, a strategic fund development plan focused on increasing unrestricted charitable donations, and updated policies and procedures.

Morrow says the Foundation also wants to be reputable and worthy of investment. This has led the Foundation to use best practices in all areas, increased presence on social media and with alumni. An Alumni Committee was created whose sole focus is to reconnect alumni. The Committee attended local festivals and sporting events to collect updated contact information. There are now 408 new alumni to share news with through the new monthly electronic newsletter.

Finally, the Foundation is working with a virtual marketing company and has set goals to meet each year with unrestricted charitable donations. For FY ’23 the goal is $50,000.

Marrow wrapped up her presentation by sharing that for 2023, the Foundation will be increasing its marketing, host more Viking Drop-In events, and continue to support Glen Oaks and its students as they pursue their educational goals.