(click above to visit the site,
and donate online)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is our mission?
   1. To establish a permanent tax-deductible endowment in the name of the PBHS Class of ’62 that provides scholarships to post-secondary schools for deserving PBHS students.

2. Why go through the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation (PBACF) instead of doing it ourselves?
   1. The PBACF is an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF).
       
   2. The scholarships are customized to our interests and awarded in the name of the PBHS Class of ’62 Scholarship Endowment.
       
   3. Through professional management, the endowment keeps giving in perpetuity.
       
   4. We simplify our philanthropy, ease our tax burden and receive professional services, including:

                                                               i.      Receipt and acknowledgment of donations and gifts

                                                             ii.      Fulfilling all legal requirements

                                                            iii.      Generation of scholarship application forms (these may be as customized as we wish)

                                                           iv.      Selection of winning applicants according to criteria

                                                             v.      Monitor educational progress of winning applicants to ensure compliance
 

5. The ARCF protects our investments and charitable intentions so that our scholarship endowment endures over time.

                                                              i.      Public accountability is ensured through annual independent audits and filing of tax returns, public disclosure of all scholarship endowment activities and careful selection of a diverse statewide Board of community leaders.

 

3. How do I know I can trust the PBACF?
   1. As an affiliate (one of many, statewide) of the ARCF, the PBACF remains in compliance with all state and federal legal requirements for such endowments. The PBACF is one of the earliest of the 25 affiliates of the ARCF and has a long and successful track record.
       
   2. The ARCF currently manages assets of over $86 million.
      
       
4. Are we the first PBHS Class to establish a scholarship endowment through the PBACF?
   1. Yes! Although the PBACF manages over 800 various funds, the only other school class in our area to have established an endowment fund so far is the Watson Chapel Class of ’73.
      
       
5. How does it work?
   1. With a minimum of $10,000 (which can be built over a three-year period), we can establish a tax-deductible endowment that fulfills our Mission in perpetuity.
       
      • We achieved more than this goal in under two years!
         
   2. Contributions may be added at any time, in any amount.
       
   3. Scholarships are awarded from the endowment’s investment income on a periodic basis in accord with the endowment agreement. Currently, the award is 5% of the principal ($500 per $10,000 in the endowment fund). The endowment’s principal is untouched and professionally managed and invested, allowing it to build continually in perpetuity. Long after we’re gone, scholarships will continue to be awarded in our name.
       
   4. The more we contribute to our endowment principal over the years, the larger our investment income grows and the large our scholarship awards!
      
       
6. If the original purpose of our scholarship endowment becomes impossible to fulfill (say, PBHS shuts down), what happens?
   1. The endowment continues to be disbursed for educational purposes by the Board of the ARCF.
      
       
7. How much does it cost?
   1. The endowment fund must reach a minimum of $10,000 over three years.
      DONE! IN UNDER TWO YEARS!
      
       
8. How much does the PBACF charge in administrative fees?
   1. 2% of our total funds. That's just two cents of every dollar donated. Compare that to other charities you give to!
      
       
9. What if we fail to meet the $10,000 minimum requirement in three years?
   1. Because donations are tax-deductible, the government disallows reimbursement of funds on which a tax write-off has already been taken.
       
   2. Whatever funds there are will be disbursed for educational purposes, according to our Mission.
       
   3. But we made it -- in just under two years! Our scholarship will be awarded in perpetuity from now on, and will continue growing as our contributions accrue!
      
       
10. What are the criteria for awarding scholarships?
    1. Financial need, community leadership, academic performance and potential to succeed are the primary factors considered, though none are a determining factor.
       
        
11. Who is the Scholarship Selection Advisory Committee? Who will publicize the scholarship and disburse/receive applications?
    1. In all but exceptional cases, this should be the high school guidance counselor working with the Scholarship Committee of the Board of the PBACF.
        
    2. Members of the Class of ’62 may choose to be actively involved in the selection process, or not.
       
        
12. Who receives the scholarship monies?
    1. The educational institution to which the student has been accepted receives the fund: NOT the student personally.
       
        
13. What may scholarship funds be used for?
    1. Customary college expenses, including room, board, tuition, fees and books.
       
        
14. May recipients renew their scholarships?
    1. Yes, if we wish. Their progress is monitored by the scholarship committee. Say a PBHS senior wins our scholarship to attend Duke University. In her or his sophomore year, the financial need is still there and the student has maintained an excellent academic record. The student may apply for renewal.
        
    2. Renewal of scholarships is up to us. We may always deny the request.
        
    3. Especially initially, when our endowment funds are at a minimum, should we choose to renew a scholarship – that means cutting into or cutting out awarding a scholarship to a PBHS senior, that year. As funds (and income) build, we will be able to both renew a scholarship and award a new one to a graduating PBHS senior.
       
        
15. How can I donate? Is there a minimum requirement?
    1. There is no minimum requirement. You may donate as often as you like, whenever you like.

                                                               i.      Some prefer to donate an amount once a year

                                                             ii.      Others prefer to donate an amount once a month

1.      Even a small monthly donation adds up annually

a.       $10 / mo = $120 / year

b.      $20 / mo = $240 / year

If 100 of us give $10 / month, that's $12,000 a year. Think about it.

2. You may donate by check payable to the ARCF Arkansas Community Foundation). On the check, note in the "Memo" field that it is for the PBHS Class of ’62 Scholarship Endowment.

   Mail checks  to the PBACF, D.W. Reynolds Services Center,  211 W. 3^rd Avenue, Suite 105,  Pine Bluff, AR 71601

   or directly to the ARCF, 1400 West Markham, Suite 206, Little Rock, AR  72201

   Be sure to memo your check to "PBHS Class of ’62 Scholarship Endowment"
    

3. You may donate to the ARCF by credit card -- again noting the amount be directed to the PBHS Class of ’62 Scholarship Endowment. Call the ARCF at 501-372-1116 and donate securely.
    
4. You can donate by credit card online, directly to the ARCF. You may choose to make a one-time donation or to have a recurring monthly donation in any amount you choose.
   
    
1. May donations be anonymous?
   1. Yes, if you wish.
       
   2. We would prefer to acknowledge donors (but not the amounts given) on our site and in the PBACF Newsletter. We will honor requests to keep you anonymous, if you prefer.
      
       
2. May we have online access to our endowment?
   1. Yes. We may view all gifts made to the endowment, all scholarships awarded, the spendable balance and market value of the endowment. Hard copies of endowment statements are also available.

    

     Where do we stand right now?

We've built over $10,500 in our Scholarship Endowment
after less than two years,
thanks to our classmates!

We will award our first Scholarship to an '08 graduate!

_____________________

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How much can you comfortably donate each month / year to help educate a PBHS graduate?

We . . . the one . . . the only . . . legendary Class of '62 . . .
are the first PBHS Class in history to establish a Scholarship Endowment!