School Funding for Travel:

How Does it Work?

Many donors and parents are curious about our school funding process. How do we decide how much money to donate to DCIS schools? How does it work?

SEVEN STEPS:

1. SCHOOL COMMUNICATION: We frequently communicate with school administrators and teachers to see what trips are being developed. We ask the following: a) Is a vendor involved? b) What is the overall cost per student? c) Is a service learning element included? d) Is there a student exchange opportunity? e) What is the timing and itinerary? and, f) What are the learning objectives?
2. ONLINE PORTAL: Twice a year, for two weeks in October and March, the DCIS Foundation opens its online SCHOOL FUNDING PORTAL for individual DCIS students and DCIS groups to apply for funding.
3. QUALITY CONTROL: After the application deadline passes, the applications are reviewed to ensure all questions are answered and there are no errors.
4. INTERVIEWS: The board of directors interviews all middle and high school applicants. This gives the board a chance to connect more deeply with students and probe specific application questions. Matt Harrison, our board president said, "It is the best part of being on the board. I love interviewing students and hearing about their actual DCIS educational experiences and how travel fits into their journey."
5. FUNDRAISING: The DCIS Foundation is engaged in fundraising efforts every day. However, twice a year, we have focused events: The Fall Fundraising Campaign (October - December) and the Gala (April). The amount raised is correlated to how much we can give to DCIS schools twice a year.
6. FINAL DECISION: The board of directors discusses the fundraising budget and analyzes the merits of the applications and interviews to decide on final funding numbers and to hold a formal vote. (See last week's Zoom meeting photo above.) The DCIS Foundation gives added weight to trips that are intentional about intercultural immersion - like service learning activities, world language practice, and exchanges that include attending classes, peer activities, and living with a host family.
7. AWARD CEREMONY: This special ceremony is scheduled twice a year to award the school a check and to honor the students as future DCIS "global scholars".

For more information on the DCIS Foundation, including student stories, fundraising results, local impact, and our amazing board of directors team: CLICK HERE.

Last year the DCIS Foundation helped send a group of students to Guatemala. Their trip included several service-learning aspects. Here you see them working with other students to paint a mural at a local school. They also went to the market, bought food, and made dinner for their hosts.

You Guessed it. We are Not Done Yet.

SAVE THE DATE | Gala 2024 | Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 6 pm

The GALA event is in the planning stages, and we are pleased to announce our theme is JAPAN to honor an upcoming DCIS student trip in Fall 2024. It is also a tribute to Ms. Yoshiko Dolbear, the past DCIS Japanese teacher and to welcome the new DCIS Japanese teacher Ms. Erina Sudo.

This signature event sold out last year, so you'll want to plan accordingly. Tickets go on sale March 1. The award ceremony and entertainment will be memorable.

To see more learn more about our annual fundraising GALA including photos, videos, and sponsor levels and benefits, CLICK HERE. To volunteer, send Theresa an email at dcisfoundation@gmail.com.

On Colorado Gives Day (December 5) the DCIS Foundation raised $6094. This is 7% more in donations but with 21% fewer donors. This trend matches national giving data. Fewer people are donating but the ones that are donating, are generally giving a little more.

For all those who contributed, we are very grateful. Thank you!

The DENVER CENTER for INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FOUNDATION's mission is to raise money for student travel scholarships and associated programs that augment the DCIS curriculum. This includes exchanges (local, national, and international), educational excursions (zoos, museums, and nature centers), cultural immersion, and multi-lingual language education. Helping create global citizens since 1997.

Board of Directors:

Matt Harrison, President

Gianina Horton, VP/Secretary

Robert Bresnahan, Treasurer

Brady Efting

Dana Novara

Erin Sorce

Dave Smith

Julia Spratt

Lisa Tadiri

Matt Weimer

Stacy Yauk

Council of Advisors:

Sally Bishop

Christine Ekman

Claudia Morlan

Mario Romero

Alumni Leadership Council:

Piper Backburn

Isabella Berggren

Alba-Leea Campos-Castro

Eduardo Chavez

Mackenzie Christman

Ca’la Connors

Eliza Cummings

Emily Frazer-Abel

Malia Josephine

Davina James

Rebecca Lipman

Justice Miles

Brooke Porter

Freya Quist

Balfe Reynoso

Jack Virnich

Sam Wands

Ex-Officio Board (Active):

Dan Lutz, Ph.D., Founder, and Sr. Advisor

Melanie Grant, Founder, and Sr. Advisor

Cara Goman, Past Board President/Advisor

Nina McGibney, Advisor

In Memory & Honor - Board Member:

Dennis Gallagher

Executive Director/CEO:

Theresa Meier Conley, Ph.D.

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