History of LEAF
Annotated History
2024
- LEAF celebrates 30 years as a nonprofit
- Adopt-a-Classroom sets a new record of $54,000 and 216 classrooms “adopted”
- Long time LEAF Executive Director, Bruce Hentges, retires and LEAF hires Natalie Copeland as the new Executive Director
- LEAF surpasses the $3 million mark in total grants given to District 742 programming
2023
- Ayan Omar & Jesus Sandoval raised over $55,000 for the LEAF Student Participation Fund through the CMCF “Dancing With Our Stars” Fundraiser!!
- Adopt-a-Classroom sets a new record of $51,350 and 205 classrooms “adopted”
- The “Retired Educators Fund”, begun in 2012, reaches $104,683 and provides $5,234 in grants
- LEAF begins a new “LEAF 742 Distinguished Alumni Award”
2022
- 20th Annual LEAF Night of the Stars is held to raise funds for the District Activities Program and LEAF Activities Endowment
- Adopt-a-Classroom raises $44,245. 177 classrooms are adopted
- Over $50,000 raised for the LEAF Homeless Student Services Fund
- Four new Legacy Funds are begun
2021
- Adopt a Classroom sets new record of $38,478 raised and 154 classrooms adopted
- LEAF makes special grants of $22,000 to support expansion of preschool, $20,000 to encourage activities participation and $4,000 for AP programs
- “Music Matters” – a new Legacy Fund to support the district-wide Music Program is begun
2020
- LEAF surpasses the $2.1 million mark in total grants given to District 742 programming
- LEAF accepts a $400,000 gift from the estate of George & Shirley Torrey for the Activities Fund
- COVID related grants total $24,400
- Total Legacy Funds (gifts of $25,000 or more) reach 12
2019
- PAKCAT (Partners and Kids Counting A-lot Together). Building on the success of PAKRAT, this new Math program is begun with a $22,350 grant from the Morgan Family Foundation.
- LEAF Photo Contest “The Best of 742” begins
2018
LEAF funds an “Activity Bus” for middle school students through the generosity of two $10,000 grants: One from the Morgan Family Foundation and a Difference Maker grant from the Central MN Community Foundation
Randy Warzeca and Lucille Guinta-Bates represent LEAF in the CMCF Women’s Fund “Dancing with our Starts” event and raise over $7,200 for LEAF’s Homeless Student Services Fund
LEAF grants $171,002 during 2018, bringing the total grants given since 1996 to $1,685,286!
2017
Matching $10,000 challenge grants from Mark & Ann Thelen and Mike Podawiltz and Diana Murphy-Podawiltz help LEAF raise $54,855 for the LEAF Homeless Student Services Fund
An annual $10,000 grant from Paul & Joanne Dorsher for the Fund-a-Need auction helps LEAF raise $21,359 in that auction and to donate $10,677 to the District Talent Development Program
Liberty Bank partners with LEAF at the Liberty Block Party and donates $15,000 to various LEAF initiatives
LEAF begins a new “Activities Participation Fund” to encourage needy students to participate in the activities program
2016
A LEAF makes $140,683 in grants to academic, activities, arts and athletic program in District 742
2015
LEAF purchases a bus for the Summer Roll & Read PAKRAT Program and expands the program throughout the school district
A “PeaceMakers Concert” features the Apollo & Tech choirs is funded with a $3,000 LEAF grant
The LEAF “Retired Educators” Legacy Fund reaches the $25,000 level and begins making grants to District Academic & Activities Programs through the regular LEAF grant cycle
2014
The LEAF Homeless Student Services Fund and Language Immersion Program Fund begin
LEAF receives the Innovation Grant and $2,000 from the Center for Nonprofit Excellence & Social Innovation (CNESI)
The Otto Bremer Foundation awards a $29,414 grant to LEAF for the PAKRAT program!
The LEAF endowment reaches $1 million!
2013
Twelve Night of the Stars features three performances and nets $11,435 for student activities
Third annual Learning Renaissance nets $19,930 in Fund-A-Need direct support of academic programs and $16,068 for the Academic Endowment Fund
Total Endowed Fund 12/31/13 = Activities Fund: $720,984.01, Academic Fund: $184,491.70
2012
LEAF Board meets with ClearPath to develop an updated Strategic Plan
The Adopt a Classroom Program raises $15,000 and provides 60 classroom grants
Tech Football and Tech Athletics designated/Legacy funds reach the $25,000 level and begin providing annual returns to those programs
LEAF obtains two grants for the PAKRAT Program and provides $51,914 in support of this P-3 literacy and parent involvement program
The second annual Learning Renaissance nets $13,790 in “Fund-a-Need” direct support of academic programs and $13,790 for the Academic Fund
Total LEAF grants = $115,307 during 2012-13 school year!
Total Endowed Funds 12/31/12 = Activities Fund: $597,523, Academic Fund: $130,268
2011
NOTS sets a new record, returning $8,049 in ticket revenue to student activities programs
LEAF’s new “Adopt A Classroom Program” raises $11,750 and funds 49 classrooms with $250 grants for supplies
October: The second Academic Fund Event: “A Learning Renaissance”, raises over $23,000 and nets $14,734 for the Academic Fund
LEAF grants for 2011-12 school year = $103,055!
2010
NOTS Silent Auction moves to on-line only
March: First LEAF Academic Fund Grants: $12,500
October: First Academic Fund Event: “Food for Thought” held at Tech High School
2009
Establishment of the LEAF Academic Opportunity & Enrichment Fund by Board vote in July, 2009. LEAF now has two funds for donors to consider:
- Academic Opportunity & Enrichment Fund
- Student Activities Fund
Roll out of new LEAF web page in October: leaf742.org
Retreat to update LEAF Strategic Plan held in October
2008
15th Year Campaign. ($456,800 Pledged, $284,443 collected as of 12/31/10)
August: First LEAF Welcome Back Luncheon at Kelly Inn
2007
LEAF Endowment stands at $450,000 as of February, 2007
LEAF Web Page developed: leaf742.org
2006
LEAF Board Handbook developed to encourage Board professionalism.
2005
Year-long development of a Strategic Plan and Vision Statement with funding from the Initiative Foundation.
NOTS moves to Paramount Theatre to a “sold out” crowd!
2004
LEAF Hires an Executive Director
First LEAF Appreciation & Awards Banquet at Steve & Paulette Schwegman’s home to recognize the many contributions of individuals to the success of LEAF
2002
LEAF undertook a special fundraising project, netting $140,000, to assist in preserving Junior High School activities programming.
LEAF Begins Night of the Stars (NOTS) fundraiser
2000
LEAF hired a fundraising consultant and began organized fundraising activities.
1996
Status as a tax exempt, 501(c)(3) non profit organization was received from the IRS.
The LEAF endowment reached the $200,000 level.
LEAF began its twice yearly granting program utilizing 5% of its endowment fund for the support of extra curricular activities programming in the District’s K-12 schools.
1995
The first LEAF Board of Directors was formed and began meeting regularly. The organization’s by-laws were developed and formally adopted.
1994
Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit organization were developed and filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office. Application was made to the Internal Revenue Service for tax exempt status.
1993
The Board of Education approved the formation of an activities foundation to be called the District 742 Local Education Activities Foundation (LEAF). In June of 1993, the Board approved a transfer of $100,000 to the Central Minnesota Community Foundation to establish the LEAF Endowment Fund.
The Board also approved a ticket price increase of $1.00 on each adult admission and $.50 for each student admission with the subsequent annual revenue from this increase to be deposited in the LEAF Endowment fund.
1992
The Board of Education formed an ad hoc committee to research the possibility of forming a foundation for the purpose of providing support for extra curricular activities in District 742.
Student Activities Advisory Committee subsequently recommended to the Board that such a foundation be formed.