OUR HISTORY

The Watervliet Public Schools Foundation for Excellence was created in collaboration with the School Board, Administration, Faculty and Staff, and interested citizens. Meetings were held in 2018 to discuss the feasibility of a foundation and to prepare by-laws. In January 21, 2019 by-laws were adopted and an all-volunteer Board of Directors and officers were elected.  

During the 2019 school year the board of directors met and began to file the necessary paper work to become a charity. During this period the foundation members met with other foundations to develop the information need to become successful. 

The first step taken was to file for an EIN number which happened on March 19, 2019.  The next  was to form a working relationship with the Berrien Community Foundation so donations received could be tax deductible until The Watervliet Public School Foundation became a 501.c3 IRS designated charity.

May 28, 2019 the foundation incorporated in the State of Michigan as a non-profit charity. With this incorporation, the foundation applied for 501.c3 status. On February 24, 2020 the IRS granted the foundation 501c3 status and made that status retroactive to our incorporation date. Also, in 2020 the foundation joined the Michigan Education Foundation, a group of like-minded foundations helping their school districts and willing to share their experiences in order for others to become successful. Two more events happened in 2020, the first was registering with the Attorney General’s office as a soliciting charity and the main reason for creating the foundation and  the launching of our first effort at raising money. This effort has been so successful that the foundation needs more volunteers as we begin expanding our horizons.