Almost five years ago, the Decatur City Schools Foundation celebrated when its bank account reached the magical $1 million mark.

That principal has not changed, however, and Tommy Daniels and the foundation board want to do more. Daniels, foundation treasurer and a community executive at RBC Bank, said the group felt this couldn’t be accomplished with volunteers.

Daniels said the foundation had a choice if it wanted to grow its capital.

The board could either hire a consultant for about $100,000, as it did when it made the push to $1 million, or it could hire a full-time director. The foundation board chose the full-time route, hiring Allison Akins in November.

“We felt like it was time for somebody to get up every morning thinking about what the next move should be for the foundation,” Daniels said.

Akins believes her background and work experience are an asset to the foundation. She is 1974 Decatur High graduate, a mother of two Benjamin Davis Elementary School students and the stepmom of an Austin High graduate.

“I understand the dynamics of Decatur,” Akins said.

She covered all of the bases with an accounting degree from Auburn University and a law degree from The University of Alabama. She briefly practiced law.

She was a business and investments manager.

She was a substitute teacher, which she said gives her a special appreciation for how hard the teachers and staff work.

Continuing projects

Akins said she wants to continue the 15-year-old foundation’s projects such as the annual teacher grants, supporting the “7 Habits” project, Wetland’s Edge Environmental Center and the Violins! Violins! third-grade program.

Her goal is to grow and diversify the foundation through publicity and increasing community participation.

She said the foundation needs to conduct a major fundraising campaign.

“I’d like to raise another $1 million,” Akins said.

Akins and Daniels know that economic conditions might make this difficult.

She said there are numerous ways that individuals or companies can contribute to the foundation.

Suggestions

Some of her suggestions include donating stock, giving in honor or as a memorial to someone. School system employees can sign up for payroll deduction.

Akins’ job is to develop other ways to bring in funding. She also would like to use the foundation to help supply volunteers for the schools.

“I’m trying to be optimistic because that option hasn’t been as easy as it was two years ago,” Akins said.

She’ll answer

Call Allison Akins at 616-1734 if you would like to contribute to the Decatur City Schools Foundation.

Decatur Schools Foundation