The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of ASTEF

What is ASTEF? The Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 2011 to support and enhance charitable activities of the Texas State Organization (TSO) of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

Why ASTEF? Our Mission Statement provides the answer The mission of Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation is to provide funding for activities that support professional and personal growth of women educators in Texas, and to promote educational excellence for Texas students.

WHO does the Foundation Support? ALL MEMBERS of the Texas State Organization (TSO) of Delta Kappa Gamma are automatically members of the Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF). 

HOW are members supported? By way of the Three Major Areas ASTEF, a non-profit organization, is a partner and fundraiser for the Texas State Organization, building and disbursing funds to enhance the work of DKG in Texas in these three Major Areas: SCHOLARSHIPS LEADERSHIP PROJECTS

How does ASTEF support SCHOLARSHIPS? Scholarships are given for those wishing to earn advanced degrees or certifications, attend specialty training, or life- long learning opportunities. Applications and guidelines are on the TSO website and a link is provided on the ASTEF Website under Forms. Deadline: March 1 ASPIRING EDUCATORS ASTEF awards Aspiring Educator Grants to prospective women educators for the completion of a teaching degree or certification. Applicants are sponsored by TSO members. Guidelines and application forms are available on the ASTEF website. Deadline: March 1

How does ASTEF support LEADERSHIP? ASTEF FUNDS leadership training through Leadership Seminars and sponsors speakers at state events. This includes the Leadership Seminar held in odd number years whereby 30 members are competitively selected from across the state. The next Leadership Seminar will be held in February of 2019, but it is not too early to consider applying or encourage someone else to apply. Applications will be on the TSO website and a link will be provided on the ASTEF website. *Information is found on the ASTEF website under Activities

How does ASTEF support PROJECTS? The Projects fund provides stipends for chapter projects, area projects, or individual members that support other educational endeavors that benefit Texas students and educators. Application and guidelines are on the ASTEF website. Generally the forms are posted in October and are due April 1 to the Vice President of Projects and Programs. Projects that are funded may reapply for a second year. If funded two consecutive years, the same project cannot be submitted the following year and must layout a year before reapplying.

Project Stipends: In 2012, the first Project Stipends were awarded in the amount of $1,000. Now flash ahead to 2017, $34,850 was awarded at the ASTEF Annual Meeting to 37 deserving chapters. The current ASTEF budget has plans to award $40,000 to deserving projects. Start planning now to submit an application!

HOW are funds generated? The foundation is able to support Scholarships, Leadership, and Projects through generous donations made to the Foundation. Donations from individuals, groups, businesses and corporations are welcome All gifts to ASTEF are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law

Fundraising Opportunities: ASTEF conducts fundraising events for TSO members, their families and friends, businesses, and corporations throughout the year. Convention Fundraisers: Raffle Baskets Diva Doins’ Silent Auction Items for sale Chapter Recognition: April 1 Deadline – Use FORM on ASTEF website Scholarship Categories- Honors $1, Double $2, Triple $3-- per member Leadership Categories- Journeyers $1 and Trailblazers $2-- per member Projects Categories – Groundbreakers $1 and Builders $2 –- per member

Annual Events: Giving Month – February has been proclaimed ASTEF Giving Month. Members are encouraged to make a tax- deductible contribution during this month. ASTEF Travelers – Past ASTEF Travel trips have included 2 cruises, 2 Road Scholar trips, and 2 Weekender Trips. The first Weekender was held in October of 2016 to Galveston and the second Weekender is set this September in Fredericksburg. A small portion of the trip fee is dedicated to ASTEF.

Corporate Fundraisers: Kroger/Ralph’s Community Rewards Program – began in 2017 Randall’s/Tom Thumb Reward Program – New this year See WEBSITE for DETAILS– Under the Events tab! Other Ideas tried so far: Kendra Scott Pop-Up Store during Houston Convention in June of 2017 Talbot’s Shopping Event in Fort Worth held on May 2,2017

Other Ideas: Consider a donation “in Honor of” an associate, friend, or relative to tell them how much they mean to you? Donations can also be made “in Memory of” a special friend, relative, colleague, etc. “Celebrate by giving” - Give to the Foundation to honor your friends, your mentors, your chapter, yourself.

Keep in Mind: A gift to ASTEF is a gift that keeps on giving as it is used to support Scholarships, Leadership, and Projects that impact Texas educators and students.

WHO Manages the Operations of the Foundation? ASTEF is managed by a Board of Directors elected by the members at the Annual Meeting held during the Texas State Organization (TSO) Convention every year.  Applications for Director positions are found on the ASTEF website during the second year of the biennium Directors serve a 6 year term The board consists of Directors and Ex-Officio Members: TSO President, TSO Treasurer, TSO Scholarship Chair, and TSO Leadership Seminar Chair.

Check-Out the Website! www.astef.org RESOURCE PAGE: Sample Chapter Programs Sample Area Messages Graphics for use in newsletters, websites, etc. Archived materials for your use Foundation Focus tab has many wonderful ideas to support chapters/members Coming Soon: ASTEF Aspiring Educator video that was debuted at the Houston Convention Register to receive information about ASTEF ! Complete the form on the Resource Page or we can provide a group form for chapters or larger groups by contacting webmaster@astef.org

Encourage you to contact any Director with any questions, suggestions, concerns or anything you may have. We are all still learning and growing as the Foundation is very young and continually evolving.

Above All Remember: ASTEF IS “OUR” FOUNDATION!

Important Information: ASTEF Address: P.O. Box 797787 Dallas, TX 75379 (Mailing Address) 6220 Campbell Road, Suite 204 Dallas, TX 75248 (Physical Address) Phone Number: 972-930-9945 Website: www.astef.org ASTEF ~ “Impacting Education by Impacting Educators.”