FRSA Educational Foundation Endowment – One Roof and a Legacy Mike Reed, CPA, FRSA Controller and General Manager During 2003, the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation Endowment was jump-started with a $25,000 Governor-level contribution from TAMKO Building Products. That was the first Governor-level or higher contribution the Endowment received. Since then, over $1 million has been pledged or donated. The most recent Governor-level pledge is from FRSA President Adam Purdy, CPRC, who will be donating $5,000 a year over the next five years. One of the primary appeals of endowment giving is allowing the donor to select how they would like their endowed earnings to be used: education, industry research and scholarships are on the menu of options offered to contributors to donate towards. Contractor education is at the forefront of everything the Educational Foundation does and selecting to support education through your endowment helps further that mission. For example, the Endowment’s support allowed the Foundation to offer NRCA’s For Foremen Only Program at the 2018 FRSA Convention and to partner with Future Builders of America for an introductory level roofing program. Industry Research is also a very important part of what the Endowment does. Endowed earnings have allowed the Foundation to contribute to the Wall-of-Wind research at Florida International University, Sealed Attic Research at the University of Florida (UF), and to fund a study on the effects of silica residue in the workplace. The Sealed Attic Research was driven by FRSA action at the Florida Building Commission, who funded a portion of the study. Research at UF is funded in part by the Earl Blank Endowment, established at the university by the FRSA Self Insurers Fund. Scholarships complement the Foundation’s educational emphasis by helping families of FRSA members and their employees realize their educational goals. Over $280,000 in scholarships has been presented to students over the years and, every year, the Foundation Trustees have a tough time deciding to whom to award scholarships because of the number 12
FLORIDA ROOFING | November 2020
of qualified submissions. In 2020, a record $30,000 was awarded to 15 outstanding students to help with their educational goals. Some Endowment contributors make their donation without selecting any specific purpose for their earnings. This is known as an “undesignated” contribution and allows Trustees to spend available funds wherever they are most needed. If there is a critical research project that needs funding, undesignated earnings can be used along with those pledged for research. If there is a need to provide more scholarship funding during a year, undesignated earnings can be used, etc. Contributions are welcome for any amount and can be paid over a five-year period if requested. A pledge of $25,000 or greater entitles the contributor a seat on the Endowment Board of Governors who meet quarterly and make recommendations to the Foundation Trustees on how to best utilize Endowment earnings. Purdy’s theme for his year as President is “One Roof.” One roof is where everyone gets their start in the industry, and one roof also represents a community of professionals that believe in supporting the future of the industry that has given so much to us all. As we approach the end of what has been a difficult year for everyone, please consider a gift to the FRSA Educational Foundation Endowment as an investment in the future of the roofing industry, as well as a great way to establish your legacy for those that come after us. FRM
The FRSA Educational Foundation is a 501(C)3 entity: your contributions to the endowment are tax deductible, subject to current income tax regulations. For more information on the FRSA Educational and Research Endowment Program, please contact Mike Reed, CPA, FRSA Controller at 800-767-3772 ext. 167, reed@floridaroof.com, or John Hellein, Educational & Research Foundation Director at john@floridaroof.com or ext. 123.
