EGHM Foundation

Message from EGHM Foundation President Joe Gugger

The EGHM Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization made up of members who are local business leaders from throughout the District 7 community. They hold the common belief that a strong school district is vital to quality communities. The foundation works closely with the school district to identify the District’s needs. The focus of projects funded is to provide direct benefit to as many students as possible.

It is the goal of the foundation to support the positive achievements of District 7 students and to provide some of the resources that enable our students not only to achieve success at the middle school and high school level but also to watch them progress as young men and women who will be the next leaders in shaping our community.

In 2011-12, the EGHM Foundation provided approximately $500,000 in upgrades to District 7 facilities, including lights for the Winston Brown Track and Field Complex, a new marquee at Edwardsville High School, and a new scoreboard at the EHS Sports Complex.

For the 2012-13 school year, the EGHM foundation supported the 21st century classroom project with a contribution of $200,000 to jumpstart the fundraising campaign. The 21st century classroom initiative is the implementation of PolyVision Interactive Whiteboard systems for 370 classrooms throughout the 14 schools within District 7.

In addition, the EGHM Foundation will continue its support of the middle school baseball program, middle school and high school performing arts programs, and After-Prom. This year the foundation will partner with the NAACP for an ACT tutoring program for disadvantaged students. In addition, the foundation will continue its efforts in funding scholarships through the ROA program.

Members of the EGHM Foundation are well aware of the financial difficulties District 7 continues to face and fully realize that the District does not have the funding to support extracurricular programs, as well as individual, disadvantaged students who may not have the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities without the foundation’s support. The foundation will continue to work closely with the District to provide funding to relieve some of the pressure of extracurricular activities from the general budget.

In order to continue the work we are doing, the Foundation welcomes donations of any size from businesses, community members, and alumni. Donations may be targeted to the donor’s choice of program, and of course, all donations are tax-deductible.

Checks should be made payable to the EGHM Foundation and sent to:

EGHM Foundation
c/o Edwardsville CUSD7
708 St. Louis Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025

In an economic crisis of the magnitude District 7 currently faces, there will be those who want to dismantle extracurricular programs as a cost-saving measure. It is the goal of the EGHM Foundation to continue to raise and expend funds to maintain these programs for the value they bring to our students’ overall educational experience. Participation in these activities contributes to students’ physical and mental health and the development of both social and leadership skills.

We hope that the greater District 7 community will support us in these efforts.

Sincerely,