What is the purpose of the Northgate Community Pride Foundation?
The Northgate Community Pride Foundation was founded in 1999 to aid in the improvement and enhancement of educational and athletic facilities at Northgate High School and to provide a model for other schools in the Walnut Creek community.

Why do you need a campaign?
The capital development program will fund the total cost of the renovation of the Northgate High School Little Theater and the athletic fields as well as the construction of a new Aquatic Center. Northgate High School’s athletic and performing arts facilities are in disrepair after thirty years of use and limited major maintenance

Who runs the Northgate Community Pride Foundation and how is it supported?
A 16-member Board of Directors leads and manages this non-profit corporation. We operate as a community partnership between parents, teachers, school and district administrators, the private sector, local public officials and the community at large. Together we have developed a Master Plan through an exhaustive survey process. This allowed us to set priorities for completely restoring athletic facilities and the little theater, as well as creating new facilities such as an aquatics complex. We support our projects through annual mailings, special events and other forms of fund raising.

Where will the money come from?
Contributions are being sought from volunteers, families, businesses, foundations, sponsoring organizations and others interested in supporting this valuable community resource. The Northgate Community Pride Foundation’s Board of Directors is providing leadership for this campaign and 100 percent of the Board financially supports this project.

How may gifts and pledges be paid?
We encourage pledges and letter of intent commitments, which can be paid over one to three years. Gifts may be paid several ways, including cash, appreciated securities and credit card donations.

Why should I give to the Northgate Community Pride Foundation Capital Campaign?
The need for enhanced facilities at Northgate High School is compelling…to provide our students with facilities that support Northgate’s outstanding academic, enrichment and athletic programs…to preserve property values in our neighborhoods…and to provide our community with a well-respected and valued educational and recreational resource. It will take your support and the support of the entire community in order for us to realize the vision for a new and vibrant Northgate campus. We urge you to “stretch” your giving as our capital development program will require special generosity from all who understand and believe in the importance of enhancing the success of our students and pride in our neighborhoods and community.

How does the mission of the Northgate Community Pride Foundation differ from the Parent Faculty Association and other parent-led booster groups, which also raise money for Northgate High School?
NCPF raises money to improve worn facilities and to build those facilities that the campus currently lacks. The other Northgate support groups each have specific goals. For example, the PFA raises money to enhance the learning experience of each student; their funds go toward teacher needs and program or curriculum enhancements. The Athletic boosters raise funds to cover coaching, the Sports Medicine program, sports equipment, and minor field improvements. The Band Boosters support the Instrumental Music program needs, such as equipment upgrades, transportation to events, entry fees to music competitions, etc. Each group is highly specialized and NCPF is the primary group for facility improvement issues on campus.

How will the facilities be maintained in the future?
There are a number of options that we are exploring related to ongoing maintenance issues, many of which rely on the idea of a partnership between students, parent groups and district personnel.

Why can’t the Mt. Diablo School District pay for the facility improvements?
The school district is currently managing many facility improvement projects on all of their 58 school campuses. (The District serves over 36,000 students!) Many of the District schools are in severe disrepair. The current construction and renovation work is part of a huge undertaking to address many deferred maintenance needs and take care of long overdue infrastructure upgrades, such as electrical and mechanical. These projects are funded by state monies in the form of Measure C funds and Proposition 55 funds. The projects funded by these two propositions will be carried out over the next few years. Northgate will most likely get a new heating and cooling system with their remaining Measure C funds and has received $500,000 of the Prop 55 monies to be used for the Little Theater renovation. Northgate Community Pride is in continued discussions with MDUSD regarding District funding of our most current projects.

In light of the recent cuts proposed by the District, why should we give to facility improvements when our academic programs are in danger of being cut?
Northgate Community Pride Foundation has focused on facility improvement over the course of its nearly 6 years of existence. While the Foundation recognizes the difficult budgetary environment facing the District and Northgate High School and its feeder schools, the Foundation has made commitments to facility improvements that require sustained efforts over a number of years to be successful. The Foundation is closely monitoring the budget decisions of the District and is aware and concerned of program cuts which have been discussed. Academic programs are supplemented by other groups such as the Parent Faculty Association.

What about a bond measure to pay for facility improvements?
Although bond measures have been successful in surrounding, smaller school districts, it is unclear whether Mt. Diablo Unified School district would have success with a bond measure. If it is passed by the voters, the district would still need to address facilities needs at every one of its 58 campuses. Our district is so much larger than our neighboring Walnut Creek School District or Acalanes School District that a bond measure’s effectiveness is questionable for our campus. Like the state monies, priorities would be set and it is not certain that Northgate would reap a large benefit of that money. At this time, The District is doing a feasibility study for a bond measure to support program costs, not capital improvements.

Why don’t our neighboring districts (W.C. and Acalanes) have these problems?
They actually do have these same issues but there are two key differences: Their districts are vastly smaller and they have been able to do parcel taxes and bond measures that effectively target just their communities due to the geographical boundaries. The other key difference is that they began grass-roots parent activism before our community did and thus, are now reaping the benefits of well-organized/well-funded capital & program improvements that do not rely on state or district monies. We believe that Northgate Pride can have the same effect in our community.

What about a parcel tax—the same amount of money taxed on everyone in the District?
It is our understanding that the Mt. Diablo School District is currently exploring that option. Those monies, however, would likely be used to address curriculum shortfalls and budget woes faced every year by the District. Again, we are focused on facility improvements.

How will donated funds be managed?
All donated funds are deposited into the Foundation’s FDIC protected banking accounts until payments are required for approved project expenses. The Foundation maintains a bank sponsored money market account to maximize return on funds until expenditure.

Are there any opportunities for making Memorial or Tribute gifts?
Yes, contributions to the Northgate Community Pride Foundation capital development program can be made in tribute to or in memory of loved ones, business associates or others you may choose to honor with your contribution.

If I have other questions, whom should I contact?
Contact Susan Gordon, Campaign Coordinator, 925-939-6273 for additional information on the Northgate Community Pride Foundation’s capital development program.