Focus on TUSD - February 2008

Finding Funds
Goode Takes on New Educational Enrichment Foundation Job
For years, Linda Goode has helped community organizations raise funds. Now she's putting that experience to work at the Educational Enrichment Foundation, where she's filling the new position of development director.

She'll spend her time raising money for EEF projects that have benefited Tucson Unified School District students for 25 years, such as supplying eyeglasses, shoes, clothing and scholarships. In addition, she intends to focus on these goals:

• Doubling the number of TUSD teachers, administrators and staff participating in the EEF payroll deduction program, from 7 percent to 14 percent.
• Informing each school's parent-teacher organization of the role that EEF plays in supporting TUSD and also involving the groups in EEF's mission.
• Inviting the Tucson community to participate in a fund-raising event such as the Old Pueblo Brain Bee. Anyone interested in helping with this event should e-mail Goode at eefdev@theriver.com.

Goode joins a small staff at the EEF headquarters, 3809 E. Third St. Robert Padilla, who came on board last year in July is the executive director. Glad Gammie is the finance manager and Michelle Fuentes is the administrative assistant.

Goode, who has raised funds for the Easter Seals and the Pima Council on Aging Foundation, is a certified fund raising executive. She earned this distinction by taking continuing education courses through the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southern Arizona. She is the secretary of the board of directors for Planned Giving Roundtable of Southern Arizona, a membership of fundraisers, CPA's, attorneys and investment professionals.

Goode said fundraising has been developed into a science that incorporates a pyramid of activities, with relationship building at the bottom and continuing up to involve people and gift giving. Planned giving, such as bequests and wills, top the pyramid.

She said she accepted the EEF position because she wanted to help children and families in Tucson enrich their futures. "I asked myself where I could make the most impact because we have only so much time on this planet," she explained. "If I'm really going to make a difference, I wanted to be in the public schools."

She hopes to involve more people with the schools. "People who are involved are so rewarded," Goode said. "They have new connections with their kids and the school community. Strong schools help build strong neighborhoods."

Linda Goode's Bio

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

Photos in the February issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations, unless otherwise noted.

The deadline to submit material for the March Focus is Friday, March 7. The Focus will be published Monday, March 17. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.