Learn everything about university and community foundations. Consider meeting with a local college or university president, director of development, or trustee to learn more about fundraising strategy in higher education.

Attend as many school foundation meetings as possible.

Meet with your foundation executive director as often as you meet with other administrators in your district. The executive director needs your support and you need to be cognizant of his or her activities.

Become a regular and major gift donor. Literature demonstrates donors are more interested and supportive of a non-profit organization than non-donors.

Subscribe to at least one journal, newsletter or research source expounding the merits and workings of a non-profit organization. This Web site has suggested sources.

Become a member of a professional organization like the Association of Fundraising Professionals

Get involved in at least one volunteer effort sponsored by your local education foundation.

Influence the funding of your local school foundation. If a school administrator develops a vision of the foundation's potential, he or she can, in turn, influence the funding necessary to develop the foundation. It is a solid investment in the future of the school in so many ways.

Get involved as a friend or volunteer in at least one activity of the foundation each year. Influence giving by making personal phone calls and lunches with potential donors.

Dream about what fulfillment of the school's mission can mean to the children of the community when people and their wealth converge to support local education.