CALDWELL TAKES HELM OF CFEF BOARD
Fred Caldwell said one of his primary goals as new chairman of the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation board is to make sure the organization continues to provide meaningful scholarships to Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District graduates who are continuing their education beyond high school.
"One of the biggest challenges our students face is the increasing cost of higher education," said Caldwell, who took over as chairman of the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation's board July 1. "Since the 1990s, that cost has increased about 8 percent annually and may increase even more over time because of reduced state funding."
"The Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation remains committed to providing scholarships to students who may not have the means otherwise to pay for a higher education," Caldwell said.
As president and chief executive officer of Caldwell Companies, Caldwell is a leading developer in Houston's residential and commercial real estate industry. He has served five years as a board member, and most recently as vice-chairman, of the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation board of trustees.
"I got involved with the Foundation because it's commitment to the Cy-Fair ISD school system is similar to my commitment to the Cy-Fair area," Caldwell said. "I look forward to the foundation continuing the positive momentum that has been building in the 35-plus years since it was founded by community leaders who created a strong legacy."
Caldwell's wife, Susan, is also deeply committed to Cy-Fair ISD schools and the community. The Caldwells have two daughters - Amanda graduated this year from Cy-Fair High School and will attend Texas A&M University in the fall; and Lindsey will be a junior at Cy-Fair High School in 2007-08.
Caldwell said in the two years he will serve as chairman of the board, he will place a concentrated focus on developing the Foundation's "planned giving" program. That program involves individual gifts of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, mortgages, real estate, insurance policies, bequests, investment earnings, charitable gift annuities, trusts and other options that may be recommended by an estate planner or financial advisor.
"One of our challenges as the school district continues to grow and expand, which is a great thing, is that we need to increase the financial resources that provide for our student scholarships," Caldwell said.
Since its birth in 1970, the Foundation has awarded $2.7 million in scholarships to more than 750 district graduates, and over $687,000 in instructional excellence grants to Cy-Fair ISD educators. Those funds have been raised through planned giving, share programs, gifts in memory or honor of a loved one, online donations, endowment gifts, and two annual fund-raisers - the annual B.F. Adam Golf Classic and the "Salute to the Stars" Gala.
Caldwell urged Cy-Fair area businesses to get involved in the Foundation's upcoming "Salute to the Stars" gala, which will take place October 25 at the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center.
At that event, the Foundation will roll out the red carpet for 70 teachers who were named Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District's "Spotlight Teachers" for the 2006-07 school year.
The black-tie event is held each year to honor Spotlight teachers, and to raise funds for Cy-Fair ISD's Instructional Excellence Grant program.
Marie Holmes, the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation's executive director, said the Foundation will benefit from Caldwell's commitment to the Cy-Fair community, both as a business and community leader.
"With our district growing as it is, the Foundation needs a strong leader like Fred Caldwell to take it to the next level," Holmes said.
For information about the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation, and underwriting and sponsorships opportunities for the 10th Annual Salute to the Stars gala, contact Marie Holmes at 832-381-2333, or e-mail marie@thecfef.org