History of LEAF

Annotated History

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.

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.

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.

1995

• The first LEAF Board of Directors was formed and began meeting regularly. The organization’s by-laws were developed and formally adopted.

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.

2000

• LEAF hired a fundraising consultant and began organized fundraising activities.

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

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

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!

2006

• LEAF Board Handbook developed to encourage Board professionalism.

2007

• LEAF Endowment stands at $450,000 as of February, 2007

• LEAF Web Page developed: leaf742.org

2008

• 15^th Year Campaign. ($456,800 Pledged, $284,443 collected as of 12/31/10)

• August: First LEAF Welcome Back Luncheon at Kelly Inn

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

2016

• A LEAF makes $140,683 in grants to academic, activities, arts and athletic program in District 742

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

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!