Summer 1983 Home   Newsletters

Fall 1983

Winter-Spring 1984

Peter's Principles (Peter Herman)
Transformation? CETA to JTPA (Muriel Roberts)
Reapportionment Update (Peter Herman)
What is the Ed Fund? (Carol Whitesell)
Statehood Project Approved (Anne Lee)
Legislative Workship Success
Presidential Debates
What Does the Future Hold for League? (Carol Whitesell)
Publications Available

What is the Ed Fund?

The LWV of Hawaii Educational Fund, Inc. works as a valuable and indispensable tool for all Leagues in Hawaii. Basically the Ed Fund is repository for tax deductible money t be used for voter service activities. publications and other informational projects.

Formation of the Ed Fund

State league leaders in 1976 formed the Ed Fund to tap sources o tax deductible money, including grant from foundations and trusts. The need for such a separate legal entity from the LWV of Hawaii became apparent at that time because of the diminishing availability of "hard dollars." Since the LWV participates in lobbying, any contributions by businesses and corporations are not tax deductible, thereby lessening the chances of such contributions.

Although the Ed Fund is a separate entity from the League, it is used to support most of the public information and voter services activities traditionally carried out by the State and local leagues. Examples of projects which have been funded by the Ed Fund are: the 1977 Constitutional Convention project (Ka Poe); "Slowly Dying Embers", a videotape on nuclear waste disposal in the Pacific and its accompanying publication; three publications and a slide-show presentation on Hawaii's juvenile ;justice system entitled "Under 18 and Under Arrest"; and most recently, a publication entitled "Is Paradise Hazardous to Your Health?". The Ed Fund was also used to launch the ongoing challenge to the state reapportionment plans.

How Projects are Funded

The State Board, local Leagues or the Ed Fund itself may solicit tax deductible contributions either for specific projects or the monies may be held on account until a proposed project is approved.

As an example, the State Board is currently soliciting funds for publication of a brochure on government boards and commissions. Last spring, the Honolulu League established the Alice Scott Memorial Fund and raised over $1,400 which is being held on account for a future project.

Project proposals are reviewed by the Ed Fund Board of Directors, which tries to insure that the projects meet established criteria for educational purposes. The Fund charges a small administrative fee to each project. These fees are used to cover Ed Fund office rent and other operational expenses.

Ed Fund Members

Nine members comprise the Ed Fund. Five members are appointed by the State board from among current League members. These five in turn appoint four additional members to include community leaders who will bring a broader perspective in the selection and evaluation of Ed Fund projects. The nine members elect a five member Board of Directors from their own ranks.

If you are interested in serving on the Ed Fund or know someone who might be call Peter Herman at 531-8031.

Carol Whitesell

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