Our Work

History of Friends of Yinghua Academy

Friends of Yinghua Academy (FOYA) was established in 2025 as the charitable foundation supporting Yinghua Academy, the nation’s first public Chinese immersion charter school. Created to strengthen and sustain Yinghua’s mission through long-term financial support, FOYA provides a structured avenue for major gifts, planned giving, and estate donations. While the school has always benefited from generous annual contributions, the founding of FOYA marked a new chapter in its development efforts—allowing donors to invest strategically in Yinghua’s future.

Purpose and Mission of FOYA

The purpose of FOYA is to raise funds for Yinghua Academy. As the school’s charitable foundation, Friends of Yinghua Academy exists to secure long-term financial resources that advance Yinghua’s mission, strengthen its programs, and ensure its continued excellence as a national leader in Chinese immersion education. FOYA provides a framework for major gifts, planned giving, and endowment growth—offering donors a way to make a lasting impact beyond annual fundraising. By cultivating philanthropic partnerships and stewarding gifts with care, FOYA helps sustain Yinghua’s innovative educational model and supports opportunities that enrich the experience of every student, now and in the future.

Charter School Funding Gap

Yinghua Academy is funded through general education revenue from the state-based open enrollment, which every public school receives. It receives 2% through federal programs. However, unlike traditional public schools, public charter schools do not have the option to increase revenue from taxpayers through bond or levy referendums, which means Yinghua receives 37% less per student than traditional public schools. In the last fiscal year, Yinghua Academy received $10,851.78/student compared to $17,109.72/student in the surrounding school district. If Yinghua were funded at the same level, it would receive $5.3 million more each year. The good news is that Yinghua has been able to create a top-tier educational experience despite the structural financial challenges. However, in order to sustain Yinghua into future generations, provide critical equipment, enhance curriculum, update existing programming, make facility improvements, and offer a competitive compensation plan to teachers and staff, Yinghua must raise funds to close the funding gap.

Two Components of FOYA

FOYA Longevity Fund

The FOYA Longevity Fund is a long-term investment fund held and managed by the Minneapolis Foundation. This fund is designed to grow over time, providing a stable and sustainable source of financial support for Yinghua Academy’s future. Contributions to the Longevity Fund are invested with the goal of generating steady returns that strengthen the school’s financial foundation, ensuring that Yinghua can continue to deliver exceptional language immersion education for generations to come. By entrusting fund management to the Minneapolis Foundation, FOYA benefits from professional oversight, transparency, and alignment with best practices in charitable investing.

FOYA Active Fund

The FOYA Active Fund, held at Drake Bank, provides a flexible and accessible source of funding to meet the school’s more immediate needs. This account allows FOYA to respond quickly to emerging opportunities and priorities—whether supporting a new academic initiative, facility improvement, or special project that enhances the student experience. The Active Fund ensures that philanthropic dollars can be put to work right away, making an immediate difference in the life of the school while maintaining the agility to support both planned and unexpected needs as they arise.

Ways to Support Yinghua Academy

There are two main organizations that exist to support Yinghua Academy and we are grateful for both! Below you will see how they function together to help Yinghua Academy thrive.

Friends of Yinghua Academy (FOYA)

FOYA focuses on fundraising to support Yinghua Academy’s long-term growth and strategic priorities through financial contributions. FOYA secures donations, grants, and sponsorships to fund major needs like programs, facilities, and school improvement projects. FOYA is an independent nonprofit foundation with a board focused on strategic fundraising and long-term financial planning.

Yinghua Academy Community Association (YACA)

YACA supports community-building through events, volunteer coordination, and parent engagement to enrich school life. YACA organizes cultural events, staff appreciation, and family activities to strengthen community spirit and daily school experience. YACA is a parent-run independent nonprofit organization that operates like a traditional PTO, focusing on volunteer-driven support within the school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are my donations tax deductible?

Donations made to FOYA are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. FOYA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in the U.S. Our tax ID / EIN is 93-3621999. For gifts made online, keep your email receipt as your official record to claim your donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes. For gifts made offline by donors living in the U.S. and who provide a mailing address, you will receive a donation receipt by mail.

Many corporations match employee donations to local nonprofit organizations. It’s an easy way to double your contribution for Chinese immersion education! We would love it if you would check with your employer to find out!

Yes! On our giving page, you can find a form that you can utilize with your financial advisor to direct funds to FOYA.