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History
The Albuquerque Public Schools Foundation was established in 1995 when a national group wanted to “gift” the district with funds for teacher professional development. The Foundation was formed as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation in order to accept and manage this donation.
Today, the APS Education Foundation solicits, receives and manages private donations which fund a wide variety of programs and services within the Albuquerque Public School system. Examples of support include: Eye exams and glasses for underprivileged students, tutoring, fine arts programs, middle school athletic programs, scholarships, the 2nd Grade Reading Academy, and professional development for teachers are just some of programs currently funded by the Foundation. That diversity of programs is what makes this Foundation unique.
One of the roles the Foundation plays in our community is that of a clearinghouse for the more than 200 groups affiliated with APS teachers, students or schools. These organizations range from scholarship programs funded by the music group SPARX to the Family Science Night program funded by Sandia National Laboratories to the trust established to provide vision care to low income students. These groups house their funds with the Foundation so they do not have to establish separate not-for-profit corporations in order to make their donation to the district. They retain ownership of their funds and discretionary authority over their distribution. However, without the APS Education Foundation providing that non-profit link, these groups would be unable to make their donations and our student’s would be unable to reap the benefits these groups and funds provide every year.
Meet the Board
The APS Education Foundation is overseen by a diverse group of exceptional community leaders, professionals, philanthropists and business leaders who are committed to the belief that a quality education is our community’s obligation to every child. Fundamentally, our board believes that public education must flourish in order for our community to flourish. We are grateful for the donations of their treasure, time and talents in our efforts to make APS the best school system in the region.
Meet the Staff
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Steve Ross, CFRE – Executive Director
steveross@apseducationfoundation.org
Steve became the Executive Director of the APS Education Foundation on September 17, 2007. He came to APS after serving as the Vice President for Development & Communications for the YMCA of Central New Mexico.
Steve has an extensive background in serving and managing educational foundations in New Mexico, Wyoming and Washington. He spent 18 years in higher education as a Foundation Executive and Chief Development Officer. Steve has over 30 years of experience in fund raising for higher education and non-profits. He is a nationally certified fund raising executive and active in several professional organizations including AFP, CASE and NSFA.
Steve is a third generation graduate of the Albuquerque Public Schools. He graduated from Highland High in 1969. Steve has a Bachelor's Degree from UNM and a Master's Degree in Management from Webster University. E.G. Ross Elementary School is named for his great-great grandfather who served as territorial Governor of New Mexico in 1885.
As Executive Director of the APS Education Foundation, Steve works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, APS and the APS Board of Education to generate private resources in support of public education. The Founation serves as the prinicpal fund raising arm for APS. As a member of the APS Superintendent’s Leadership Team, Steve is able to glean invaluable information about the strengths, challenges and hopes of the district which he is then able to share with the Foundation’s Board members and the community at large. |
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Cathy Cavin – Resource Development Specialist
cathycavin@apseducationfoundation.org
Cathy, a mother of two APS graduates, has more than 20 years of service in Albuquerque Public Schools with a variety of experience in managing program financial resources.
Cathy has been the backbone of the Foundation staff having served for more than seven years in her capacity.
As the Foundation's Resource Specialist, Cathy's primary role is to coordinate the new alumni program, oversee Foundation publications and promotions, and assist with annual giving initiatives. |
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Nancy Valdez – Accounting Technician
valdez_n@aps.edu
Nancy joined the Foundation staff on December 10, 2007 after working the past several years in various roles for APS, including secretary to the Albuquerque High Assistant Principal and more recently in the Human Resources finger printing department. Before Joining APS, Nancy worked as the Executive Assistant for development and church relations at McCurdy Mission School in Espanola. Her husband and son both work for the APS Maintenance and Operations department.
Nancy's role at the Foundation is to provide all the accounting and bookkeeping services for the Foundation and the funds housed with the Foundation by the 240 local groups affiliated with the APS Education Foundation. She also maintains the donor data base and Foundation website. | |
