Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How may I (or my company) make a tax-exempt donation??

A. As a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt all-inclusive organization, the East Side Elementary Foundation (ESEF) offers tax advantages for donors. Types of donations include those from matching grants, corporations, parents, grandparents, faculty, community individuals, and memorial gifts.

If you (or your spouse) are employed by a company that participates in the Matching Grant Program, your gift to the Foundation may be matched or even doubled by your employer. Contact your corporate employee relations office for their matching gift procedures.
Please make your tax-exempt donations payable to "East Side Elementary Foundation, Inc." and send to:

East Side Elementary Foundation, Inc.
Attention: Susan Leingang, President
3850 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062

You may also deliver your donation to your teacher(s) and they can put in our Foundation box located at the school. If your company uses a matching contribution form, please include that also.

We appreciate your support and thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

Q. How can my company become a Sponsor and be listed on your Foundation web page?

A. When your business or company:
* donates $1,000 or more of In Kind products or services or
* makes a $1,000 or greater monetary contribution or
* contributes $1,000 or more through company matching grants,

we will host your company logo and contact information on our Sponsor web page for the current fiscal year (July through June). Our Sponsor web page is located at East Side Elementary School Foundation

Q. Are all parents/teachers at Eastside automatically Foundation members or is it membership by donation?

A. There are no "members" of the foundation. There are constituencies that the foundation benefits, namely the school and the children who attend the school.

By association, the parents, teachers, school administration and the surrounding community also benefit from the foundation's expenditures. In determining how to best help the school and the children, the board will seek general input from the parents, teachers and administration.

The best way to think of it is like a charity (i.e. the American Cancer Society) with 3 separate, distinct steps:
  1. A donor makes a contribution to the foundation. Other than a tax deduction and recognition of the gift, the donor receives no benefit.
  2. The Foundation, through research that includes feedback from parties close to the foundation beneficiaries (the school and children), determines how funds are allocated to various programs.
  3. These programs are then enacted and benefit the stated beneficiaries (the school and the children who attend the school).

Q. What method will you use to contact parents about the foundation?

A. We will use this website, direct flyers, email and/or a newsletter to communicate with our parents, teachers, sponsors and partners.

Q. The Foundation has indicated it will study the feasibility of funding a Foreign Language program for East Side Elementary students. Why isn't such a program considered and funded by the Cobb County school system instead?

A. Cobb County will not provide positions to local schools for language classes, as it is not in the State’s Curriculum at the elementary school level. Local schools have no funds available to pay salary of an employee and may not hire individuals without county approval. PTA may not pay for salary of an employee. Foundations are one of only a few sources that can provide extra teacher positions to the school. Some other sources involve grants. Grants, however, are sometimes less appealing due to length of time before approval, monetary limitations, and time constraints. Teachers write grants through the year for specific programs that impact student achievement. These grants may not always support programs or the curriculum in multiple grade levels. Regardless of the funding source, any new employee must apply and be screened through the county before an employment offer is made. The county pays their salaries and the Foundation must reimburse the county.

Q. Do the teachers and school administration support having a Foundation?

A. Absolutely!!! The staff drafted and signed the attached letter showing their support, as the Foundation was formed in 2005. Also, see comments made by teachers below.


  • "I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the Foundation and PTA for the financial support they have provided to help us implement the 6+1 Traits of Writing program across all grades. We have seen tremendous growth in our students' writing skills in the one year we have used this approach! When you are in the hallways of our school, take a look at what the students are writing. It is absolutely fascinating to see the progression of the skills over the course of time. This program has been just what we needed to provide our students in all grade levels with the necessary tools to become more proficient writers."
         Dianne Gurr, Assistant Principal

  • "I would like to say thank you to the Foundation for purchasing the laptop and desktop computers. The laptop has provided me the ability to move from the lab to the classroom and the new desktop computers were essential for our classrooms as we now have two desktop computers in every classroom. Our students enjoy using technology and our staff is committed to use technology as a teaching tool. Having the financial support for technology is critical, and without this support we cannot give our students the ‘technical learning opportunities’ they deserve."
         Nancy Robinson, Computer Lab Teacher

  • "I wanted to take the time to thank the Foundation for the time and love they put into researching a fun, safe playground for our kids to enjoy! The ability for the children to get outside and have creative play is so important, and they are truly utilizing all the new equipment in this capacity. It is amazing to see the excitement of the students as they climb, slide, balance, rock, and run through the playground. The parent donations to the Foundation are so appreciated, and are crucial to the success of our students' growth and educations. With your help, you are making this great school even better! Thank you! WE LOVE THE NEW FRONT PLAYGROUND!"
         Chrissie Huckaby, Second Grade Teacher