Bad Fundraising Lands School Board President and Nonprofit in Ugly Mess

College is expensive. For a single mother with four sons, three of whom are in college, the costs can be nightmare-inducing. Why not ask friends, family and the community to help out while everyone has a good time partying? San Diego Unified School Board President Marne Foster has discovered how much trouble a parent and public official can get into while trying to fundraise for his or her children. She’s also discovering how much more trouble one can get into trying to repair the damage.

The story focuses on Foster’s seeking and receiving donations from school district officials, employees and vendors, raising the issue of improper influence or coercion by Foster.