First there was the Mark David Jones Scholarship.
Now there is also Mark David Jones Events.
What happened and what's the difference?
In July, 2005, after a series of creative discussions with the San Francisco State University Foundation and the SFSU Broadcast & Electronic Communication Department, we turned over the Mark David Jones Scholarship to the SFSU Foundation with a gift of $5,000.
We simultaneously created another entity, our own private effort, that we're calling:
MarK David Jones Events
Mark David Jones Events is essentially the family fundraising arm for the scholarship. The scholarship fund itself is now out of our hands, legally, and into the good hands of the San Francisco State University Foundation.
Committed to funding the SFSU Mark David Jones Scholarship ...
The event production activities of Mark David Jones Events serve two purposes. Our first goal is to keep the scholarship well-funded. We need to raise at least $2,000 annually to replenish each year's awards. And we hope to raise more than this minimum so we can keep the scholarship program going for a long time and perhaps even expand the program. With this in mind, we plan to produce more events in the future, in addition to the annual Awards Ceremony and Benefit.
... and to having fun in the process.
Our events reflect another prominent characteristic of Mark's life as well: His love of holding social gatherings. Mark had the gift of combining friends and family, work mates and acquaintances into a wonderful tapestry of meaningful, fun and genuine relating between and among people. And, of course, music was always intimately involved in any scene that Mark had anything to do with.
So the very act of our coming together to celebrate these deserving young people also pays homage to Mark's life and his love of people and music. And, of course, it gives us all the opportunity to celebrate Mark's life and have a great time together.
How does this all relate to you, our friends and supporters?
You can support either or both entities as you choose. You can make tax-deductible gifts directly to the Mark David Jones Scholarship, either by mail or online, and the SFSU Foundation will send you an official tax letter. These donations are welcome at any time and greatly appreciated.
Your participation in our special events, while not tax-deductible because Mark David Jones Events is not a nonprofit organization, also contributes to the scholarship. Your purchases for and at our annual gala cover the expense of putting on these gatherings, and then Mark David Jones Events gives 100 percent of what's left after expenses to the SFSU Foundation, earmarked for our scholarship. All planners, producers and helpers of our annual gala serve as volunteers.
Your questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome.