Fair Share

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) depends on our financial support to further the expansion of educational opportunity in postsecondary education. There are several ways we can support the Council.

1. We can contribute as individuals
2. Subscribe to COE publications for our programs (Equality Magazine),
3. Invest in the Council through institutional memberships (this is now an allowable cost to your program budget). 

Most often we hear the question of what does my contribution or membership get for me. Well, here is an answer: COE is our advocate with Congress and the US Department of Education. Since 1981, COE has helped appropriate $1.3 billion in federal funds over Presidential budget requests for TRIO. We now have 2,646 TRIO programs hosted at over 1200 institutions. And, most importantly 872,032 students being served by TRIO. Without COE these things would not have been accomplished. TRIO might not even exist! Still not convinced? Institutional members of COE get discounted member rates for the annual conference, subscription package, Policy Seminar, teleconferences, videos, computer labs and group email tutorials. The savings for your program could be as much as $1745.

The Council is a non-profit organization that maintains a 501(C)(3) status and is not a civic or community organization. Lobbying is not the primary function of the organization. So, the applicable regulation in the OMB Circular A-21 Cost Principles for Educational Institutions (j.28) reads, "Memberships, subscriptions and professional activity costs . . . are allowable." Okay, your budgetary needs for your program may not allow you to have the institutional membership come from your funds. Take the next step and ask your institution's administration to support your program and COE by giving you the funds for the membership. Can't do that either? Or, your administration said no. Then at least subscribe for COE's subscription package. Last but not least, make a personal contribution! (donate some of your per diem money ETS/UB staff).  Even a $5 contribution helps us meet our Fair Share! We have until June 30, 2008.  Let's be able to say we met our Fair Share by 100% or more.

If you have questions please call me at   (888) 291-5505 or email me Susan.Cramp@enmu.edu. You can also go on-line at the Council's website at the following address: www.trioprograms.org

Please send contributions directly to COE. Include a Fairshare Contribution Form and mail to Council for Opportunity in Education, PO Box 90193, Washington, DC, 20090-0193 .

Fair Share FAQs

What is Fair Share?

Fair Share is the amount of money the Council asks each state chapter to raise in a given year. Fair Share is made up of three components: Institutional Membership, Subscription Package and Personal Contributions to the Council.

How is Fair Share Calculated?

The total Fair Share line item is calculated by the Council based on trends from earlier years and the current board budget.  Once this number has been determined, along with the rest of the budget, it is presented to the Board of Directors and voted on.  Then the total number is divided by the number of TRIO Programs in the nation.  This number is then multiplied by the number of TRIO Programs in the state.  That's how is the Fair Share number is calculated.

Whether a given state or region “reaches” fair share is calculated on cash, not an accrual basis - and all cash provided through Institutional Memberships, Subscription Packages and Personal Donations received between July 1 and June 30 of any given year is counted towards the “Fair Share target.” 

What are Fair Share funds used for?

Your fair share goes to protecting your TRIO Programs (up to date information on appropriations, reauthorization, and other issues affecting TRIO students; round the clock advocacy on Capitol Hill and with the Department of Education; bringing students to speak to legislators and other concerned citizens; and proposal writing workshops)

 

COE Institutional Membership

Institutional Membership Dues (depends on number of TRIO Programs)

Number of Programs Applicable Dues

0-1	$1,700
2	$1,900
3	$2,100
4	$2,300
5	$2,500
6 or more	$2,700

Allowable Costs

OMB Cost Circular A-21, J-33 and A-122, B-30 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations) specifically notes: (c) “Costs of an institution's membership in business, technical and professional organizations are allowable.” Such membership must, of course, provide benefits to the program funded under the federal grant (be reasonable and allocable). Since the Council is a technical or professional organization, costs of an institution's membership in the Council may be paid with federal funds .

Contact at the Council:

Angelica Vialpando 202-744-8635
angelica.vialpando@coenet.us

Alvin Phillips 202-347-7430
alvin.phillips@coenet.us

Council's Information:

1025 Vermont Avenue, Suite 900 Washington , DC 20005
202-347-7430
www.coenet.us

What are the benefits of being an Institutional Member?

•  Free Proposal Writing Workshops

The Council hosts Proposal Workshops yearly to assist Institutional Members with their TRIO grants. This two day seminar includes an overview of the proposal development, editing, and review process; an examination of proposal resources available on the Internet; and an analysis of common mistakes made by unsuccessful applicants as well as characteristics of high-ranking proposals and an opportunity to have a Draft Proposal critiqued. The Council will also critique a draft of your TRIO grant.

•  Special Technical Assistance

The Council provides special technical assistance to all Institutional Members seeking to continue and expand programs which specifically serve first generation, low-income and disabled students which may include visiting institutions campus, and phone consultations with experts.

•  Access to Valuable Resources

Members of the Council have immediate access to a powerful information Network. This Network keeps members on top of political, legislative and regulatory events that may potentially affect funding levels for all TRIO programs. In most cases, members who actively network at the legislative level are more competitive at the funding level. Many Council members use the Network to improve their programs and services, to access vital research, to keep up with changing technology and to identify new potential opportunities for their students.

•  Deep Discounts are available on all Council Seminars, Workshops, Teleconferences and Council Products

COE Subscription Packages

$400 - Council Members 2-year subscription
$200 - Council Members 1-year subscription

$800 - Non-Members 2-year subscription
$400 - Non-Members 1-year subscription

The subscription package includes:

FAQs - Answers to frequently asked questions about TRIO authored by COE experts and available only online.

"e-news you can use" - An online monthly publication featuring information of interest from national experts, topics will include changes in policy, demographic trends, best practices, application deadlines, and new opportunities.

Equality Newsletter - A quarterly newsletter mailed to you with information on topics such as: the latest from Capitol Hill and the Department of Education, international news, regional association updates, grant information, important events, and alumni updates.

COE NETworks - A new annual magazine, published every fall. Articles are written in lay terms and aim to highlight the latest TRIO innovations and focus on the programs competing in the upcoming grant cycle.

Opportunity Matters - Published annually, highlighting research of use to TRIO professionals.

TRIO/GEAR UP Directory - A national directory listing institutions and agencies that sponsor federally-funded TRIO and GEAR UP programs in America , the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands .

Program Policy & Procedures Manual - A national manual designed to help TRIO Directors improve the quality of programs.