TCF Board Meeting: 9/15/2025

Members present:
Charity Karwowski, secretary
Evie Berry, treasurer
Beth Phillips
Payton Landy
Oscar Barzuna Hidalgo
Lori Keller
Shelley Dean
Becca Dillard

Members absent: none

1. Crossway update - Lori
- The school year is off to a good start.
- The Bridge program students have started with Bailey and Cierra, and they are
making some progress already.
- The 100 Gardens tank is up and running. The tank is being prepped to add fish. The
volume was initially very loud, but it has been adjusted. Beth asked if board
members could come see the tank, and Lori said yes.
- Evie asked if 100 Gardens could keep any excess funds as a rolling balance. Lori will
look into this.

2. Scholarship update - Lori
-New scholarship applications:
-Sophia - recent student visit, in DSS custody, applied for opportunity grant,
needs $15,000
-Ashton - not currently enrolled in Crossway Academy, mother has not returned
Shelley’s or Lori’s calls.
-James - received $1500 scholarship toward his psychological evaluation.
Requesting additional funds for 1:1 RBT.
-Jordan - has already received $2500 scholarship. Mother is holding a fundraiser
to raise additional money for Jordan’s tuition.
-Evie started a discussion about what boundaries does the board want to set for giving
funds to families. Payton provided some guidelines from another board on which she
has participated.
-Any students receiving scholarship funds must be enrolled in Crossway or accepted
to Crossway.
-Families applying for scholarships must respond promptly to communication from
Crossway.
-We discussed possibly opening up scholarship applications at only certain times of
year: August/ January.

-We will need to have a maximum amount of money available per family (currently
$2500; this amount may increase in the future as the foundation raises more money)
-Based on these guidelines James is eligible for another $1000 in scholarship funds
-We currently have $15,000 of unrestricted funds available. However cash outflow is
currently significant greater than cash inflow.
-Evie requested a running list of scholarship and loan recipients. Becca has letters
send out to previous scholarship and loan recipients to help start this list.

3. Board leadership update - Lori
-Lori does not have any updates on candidates for board president and vice president.

4. Fundraising update - Lori
-Lori suggested a possible afternoon event on Friday 11/21 - Turkey Trot. Each class
can be a team and raise money. This event would require low overhead since we would
use our own space.
-The group discussed that late afternoon/ early evening on Friday or weekend may be
better timing for more participation.

-Payton mentioned that many sports practice Monday-Thursday and are off Friday-
Sunday.

-Becca suggested possibly putting a TV out with the Panthers game for attendees to
watch, and also mentioned that parking may be easier on a weekend.
-Evie mentioned the parking lot would also be safer for kids on a weekend, when other
businesses are closed.
-Lori will look at possible weekend dates and speak to the Crossway teachers/ staff.
-Lori asked us to send her our availability as board members to participate.
-Becca suggested a possible winter art show/ sale if we end up scheduling a
fundraising event in December.
-Charity asked about possibly finding a corporate sponsor for TCF.
-Bob Kunik (former board VP) would like to know information about the next fundraiser,
so he can contribute to TCF financially.
-Lori is still trying to find out who handled charitable donations within her husband’s
company.
-Shelley can give a presentation at the local Rotary Club meeting.
-Evie shared that local businesses sometimes visit her business (TIAA-CREF) to get
visibility and support.
-Evie suggested looking into a Booster-Thon as a possible simple fundraiser.
-Beth mentioned that many employers will match donations. The group discussed that
the following businesses will match donations: Wells Fargo, TIAA-CREF, Duke Energy,
Walgreens.
-Lori mentioned that John Crosland strives for 100% participation from all staff and
families and all donations, even small ones (like $5) are celebrated.
-Payton suggested a “Donate your cup of coffee” campaign. (Approx. $5 donation)

Respectfully submitted,

Charity Karwowski
Secretary, The Crossway Foundation