Burlington Academic Support Foundation – BASF Established

For the last several years, there have been various conversations about the possibility of establishing a community foundation to support the changing and growing academic needs of the USD 244 Schools. Thousands of community foundations support schools in the US, and last spring, a group of community members formed to do that right here in Burlington. After over nine months of planning, the Burlington Academic Support Foundation, 501(c)(3) non-profit community foundation, was launched! 

The committee created a name, vision, mission, and by-laws to govern the foundation. The committee members who helped found the organization are Sarah Rice, Courtney Finlayson, Crystal Ecton, Aubrea Drury, Tyler Osner, Selena King, Monique Hart, James Higgins, Lindsey Graf, Taylor Wilson, Darla Long, Matt Spring, Arianne Seidl, Lee Baldwin and the USD 244 Superintendent as a non-voting member.

In the fall of this year, committee members met with each school administration to determine what their needs and wants were for their respective buildings. Monique Hart stated, “We want to raise funds for specific goals, not just to raise money. We want the donors to be fully aware of what their dollars are supporting.” After meeting with each building’s administration, the 2025-2026 goals were determined to include raising funds to initiate and sustain student clubs at BMS, outdoor seating and learning opportunities, 21st Century program funds, and teacher grant opportunities at all grade levels.