The power of connection is magical, as shown by the inspiring collaboration between Laeil Pepin and Mark Browning.
In December 2023, the “Rake It In” fund development workshop was held in Rusk, Texas, led by the Community Sustainability Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) and supported by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. CU’s Community Resource Manager, Kristy Bice, organized the event and invited guest speaker Mark Browning, whom she had met through a presentation at the Bush School at Texas A&M.
The workshop emphasized sustainable fund development for nonprofits, with Browning discussing various fundraising strategies. One attendee, Laeil Pepin from the Rusk Independent School District (ISD), was inspired by Browning’s presentation to revive her plans to establish an education foundation for her district.
Pepin, recently appointed as a parent-family liaison, had faced numerous challenges in connecting families with resources in their small, rural community. Limited local support often came from quickly exhausted religious groups. While researching, Pepin discovered other districts had education foundations that provided scholarships and funding, sparking her interest.
Pepin consulted her district’s financial advisor about starting an education foundation and received cautious guidance due to its complexities. This advice temporarily paused her plans. However, her enthusiasm was reignited after attending the ‘Rake It In’ workshop, where Browning’s insights gave her the confidence to navigate the complexities and pursue her vision.
"I never considered creating something entirely new,”
— Laeil Pepin, Rusk ISD Parent-Family Liaison
“After talking with him, I had to prioritize the most pressing issues,” Pepin said. “Then, we heard rumors, soon confirmed, that the agencies we had relied on for years were shutting down.”
The collapse of two local nonprofits, Tree of Promise and Packs of Love, which provided essential services like back-to-school backpacks and weekend food packs, left a significant void. After her vision for starting the education foundation was reignited thanks to Browning, Pepin reached out to local bank president and community leader Jaleea Downs.
“Laeil met Mark at a training session and introduced me to him,” Downs said. “He explained how they started their education foundation, showing the power of connection and shared information.”
With support from Browning and Bice, and determination from Downs and Pepin, the Rusk ISD Education Foundation was established, gaining 501(c)(3) status on July 3, 2024.
Pepin emphasized the foundation’s potential to serve the community and students, introducing new and innovative support for their district.
“Presenting it to the school board, some members remarked that this is the kind of thing big schools do. Having a foundation like this puts us on the map,” Pepin said. “This initiative is much bigger than we expected for a district of our size. It gives us an advantage and elevates us above other smaller schools.”
Downs will serve as the Rusk ISD Education Foundation president, while Pepin will act as the liaison between the school and the foundation, identifying areas for assistance. Downs noted Pepin’s pivotal role in the initiative and Browning’s invaluable guidance.
"We are excited to offer this support to the school and the families of Rusk ISD. We’re also excited about the future and the many ways we can continue to support and elevate the school and its community."
— Jaleea Downs, Rusk ISD Education Foundation President
Browning’s experience with the Somerville ISD Education Foundation resonated with Pepin. His continued guidance helped Rusk’s foundation take off. “I’m passionate about education, and I was glad to share my knowledge on a volunteer basis,” Browning said. “It all came out of a personal relationship from that presentation.”
CU is offering technical assistance to Rusk’s education foundation, including board training.
Pepin praised Bice’s crucial support in starting the foundation. “Kristy was amazing,” Pepin said. “Without her encouragement, I wouldn’t have pushed this project as far as I did. Her emotional support and business sense allowed me to see the potential in this education foundation.”
Bice expressed her excitement about the foundation’s creation, attributing its success to the power of connection. “It tickles me to see that CU connected these two and helped this community start something that will impact their school district’s students for years to come,” Bice said. “I’m so excited for the community of Rusk.”
