WHO WE ARE
We are a passionate group of people engaged in an exciting mission—impacting the world through transformational education at Upper Columbia Academy. Our product is clear thinking, compassionate, authentic young leaders. Please take a few minutes to get acquainted with us by exploring our website. And if you find your heart resonating with our mission, consider joining us!
Mission
Awarding scholarships to qualified Upper Columbia Academy students year after year by developing partnerships with individuals, families and groups who desire to invest lasting financial support.
History & Vision
FoundationONE (formerly UCA Foundation) was incorporated in 2004 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization to raise, prudently manage and steward an Endowment Fund. According to the Bylaws, the sole purpose of the Endowment is to award grants and scholarships to qualified young people, making it possible for them to engage in UCA’s life-transforming education.
As of January 31, 2023 the FoundationONE Endowment Fund has $6.27 million in assets. The cost of providing a private education is significant and it continues to climb. Therefore the Foundation is positioning itself for continuous growth. As president Mindy Weber says, “Continuing to grow is paramount to our mission. Our 2-3 year goal is to reach $10 million, and then the next goal will be to double that amount. Ultimately our goal is to grow the Endowment to the point that the School and Upper Columbia Conference can count on the Foundation to fulfill all the scholarship and grant needs of motivated students who wish to attend UCA.”
Since its inception in 2004, FoundationONE has awarded more than $1.9 million to UCA students. Interested students may complete the FoundationONE Grant Application.
Structure
Management of FoundationONE is by a volunteer Board of Directors. The board consists of forward-thinking alumni and friends of UCA. They oversee all aspects of the Foundation, including fundraising, investing, and awarding of grants and scholarships.
OUR IMPACT
Since FoundationONE was organized in 2004, it has awarded thousands of scholarships. These scholarships have deeply impacted the individual students.
GRANTS
FoundationONE has committed $260,000 in Grants and Scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year. Ultimately the goal of FoundationONE to be able to support every qualifying student in his/her quest to attend UCA. However, until we reach our financial objectives, we may have to decline some students. Consideration is given on a first-come, first-served, and greatest-need basis.
FoundationONE offers grants to students who demonstrate financial need. To verify the need, parents will be asked to submit the first page of their IRS Form 1040 which shows family size and AGI. We also consider other factors such as number of students in private school, recent job losses, or medical challenges.
All applications are reviewed by the FoundationONE Scholarship Committee and families are notified just prior to the beginning of the school year. At this time, FoundationONE grants range between $500 and $2,000 per year. The deadline for grant applications is July 31. For a second semester grant, the deadline is December 31.
FoundationONE is blessed to have alumni and friends from around the world who through their vision and generosity enable students to participate in life-changing Adventist education at Upper Columbia Academy. A named scholarship perpetuates a legacy, and each scholarship has a unique story to tell. The most common reason individuals or organizations set up named scholarships is to honor a living person or to perpetuate the memory of a deceased person.
The individual or family establishing the fund determines the criteria for awards. Thus, some funds require an application, while others don’t. Some funds are need-based, while others are merit-based. The criteria varies from fund to fund, based on the values and interests of the individual being honored.
Please send your completed Grant application to:
UCA Finance Office
3025 E Spangle Waverly Rd
Spangle, WA 99031-9703
OUR ENDOWMENT
The FoundationONE endowment is managed by the Wealth Management Team at Washington Trust Bank. The FoundationONE endowment is administered according to the Endowment Fund Investment Policy which calls for a balanced portfolio maximizing returns and minimizing risk. This group of professional investment strategists manage endowments for many of the nation’s most prestigious universities. Currently they have under administration more than $3.3 billion.
FoundationONE’s short term goal is to achieve $10 million in assets. When this goal is achieved, the Foundation will be able to award $500,000+ in scholarships per year, thereby creating opportunity for many more students to participate in life-transforming Adventist education at UCA.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Bob Larrabee Annual Golf Tournament
Friday, September 27, 2024
9:30 a.m. Shotgun Start
Latah Creek Golf Course
(Hangman Valley)
Field will be limited to the first 128 players
The $150 player fee covers greens fees, range balls, cart & dinner, plus an opportunity to win prizes for: Hole-in-One, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Putting.
Great sponsorship opportunities too!
“Circle of Friends” Receptions
FoundationONE is organizing networking/information-sharing events in the following locations:
- Feb 29, 2020, 4:00 p.m. – Circle of Friends at Jaclin Smith’s home in La Quinta, CA
- Mar 1, 2020, 10:00 a.m. – We will join UCA Principal Eric Johnson for the Loma Linda, CA Chapter Meeting
- Mar 2, 2020, 5:30 p.m. – Circle of Friends at the Phoenix, AZ Old Spaghetti Factory
Complimentary meal, stories of current students and great friends!
WAYS TO GIVE
Cash Gifts
A cash gift, through a personal check or credit card, is the most popular type of charitable gift FoundationONE receives. You can make gifts using a credit card by clicking on GIVE, in the upper right corner.
IRA Required Minimum Distribution
If you are 70 ½ or older and do not currently need your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for living expenses, you can make a contribution to FoundationONE of up to $100,000 annually from your IRA and reduce your taxable income. An easy way to fulfill your RMD, reduce your tax liability, and support students at UCA. Here’s what you need to do:
1) Act before December 31 to transfer the RMD funds directly to FoundationONE.
2) Call 208-288-1260 for assistance, or use our sample letter to give your IRA administrator instructions.
Real Estate
Residential, agricultural, commercial or investment real estate can be given to benefit FoundationONE as a current gift. If FoundationONE accepts the real estate transfer, the Foundation will immediately list the asset for sale, and the net sale proceeds will benefit the fund(s) you designate. This is a great way to avoid capital gains taxes on highly appreciated real estate.
Securities
Transferring a gift of securities—stocks, bonds or mutual funds—that have been held long term allows you to receive a charitable deduction for the full, fair market value of the securities. Giving securities that have appreciated in value also allows you to avoid capital gains tax.
Life Insurance
You can donate a life insurance policy to FoundationONE or simply name FoundationONE as the beneficiary. For the gift of a paid-up policy, you will receive an income tax deduction equal to the lesser of the cash value of the policy or the total premiums paid. To qualify for the federal charitable contribution deduction on a gift of an existing policy, you must name FoundationONE as owner and beneficiary. To make a significant future gift at a relatively low cost, you may do so through a new life insurance policy, designating FoundationONE as the beneficiary.
Matching Gifts
Many corporations and businesses match their employees’ charitable gifts with a contribution of equal or greater value. A matching gift may be initiated by completing your company’s matching gift form and sending it with your gift to FoundationONE. Check with your human resources or personnel office to determine if your employer has a matching gift program and if your gift qualifies for a corporate match.
Planned Gifts
When considering a planned gift, there are many options to choose from. Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit the Foundation after your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that will help you provide for your family and support FoundationONE.
The optimal gift plan depends on your charitable and personal objectives, your available assets, your income tax bracket, your age, your health, your income needs, etc. To discover the best plan for your particular situation will require a little research. You can do the research yourself by following one of the links in Begin My Giving Journey. Or you can contact Don Klinger at donald.a.klinger@gmail.com or 208-288-1260, and he will do the research for you.
Don Klinger is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving. For 17 years Don has been helping clients understand the benefits of the various planned giving instruments. He is eager to help you to make the best decisions for yourself, your family, and your favorite charity.
If you include FoundationONE in your plans, please use our legal name and Federal Tax ID.
Legal Name: FoundationONE
Federal Tax ID Number or EIN: 73-1710393
Named Scholarship Funds
FoundationONE is pleased to partner with families or groups who wish to create a permanent legacy in honor of a loved one. The family can determine the scholarship criteria, which often reflects the values of the person being honored. The family also determines the number and the value of the scholarships distributed.
Typically distributions begin after a scholarship has achieved a minimum of $25,000. Of course, the amount of the distribution will be in proportion to the amount of income generated by the fund.
FoundationONE provides the following services to the family or group establishing a Named Scholarship Fund:
• Create a Named Scholarship Fund Agreement
• Assist with marketing the Named Scholarship Fund
• Provide the fund agent with an annual financial report
• Facilitate the presentation of the awards and involve family members, if desired.
If you would like to consider establishing a Named Scholarship Fund, contact us at (509) 939-1716 or info@foundationoneuca.org.
Memorial Donations
Many alumni and friends designate FoundationONE to receive memorial donations, in lieu of flowers. These donations accomplish two things: they help grow the endowment and they help us make new friends. If you choose to designate FoundationONE to receive memorial donations, we will notify you of every gift received, and of course, we promptly send the donor a tax-deductible receipt and a thank you letter. Thank you for keeping FoundationONE in mind when you lose a loved one.
For personalized memorial donation envelopes, contact us at (509) 939-1716 or info@foundationoneuca.org.