Charitable partner of the Eau Claire Area School District
2019 Annual Report
500 Main St, P.O. Box 511 Eau Claire, WI 54702 715-852-3015 www.ecpsfound.org ECPSF, an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3), is a supporting organization of the ECCF
Ensuring the Future
Mission Dedicated to promoting education by fostering supportive relationships with the Eau Claire Area School District and the community; raising funds to provide learning opportunities for students, teachers and staff; and awarding grants for value-added projects.
Vision Ensuring the Future
2019–2020 Board of Trustees Dr. Blenda Yun, Chair Physician, Mayo Clinic Health System
Jim McDougall, Vice Chair CEO & Founder, UpStream
Dustin Wiesner, Treasurer Senior Manager, Wipfli
Grant Beardsley Corporate Counsel, RCU
Ned Donnellan Owner/Broker, Donnellan Real Estate
Mike Emberson Co-Owner, Zacho Sports Center
Letter from the ECPSF Chair The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is proud to serve as the charitable partner of the Eau Claire Area School District. Together with you, we are supporting Eau Claire’s public schools and students today… and for generations to come! Your support has allowed the Foundation to grant over $170,000 – a record number – in 2019! These grants funded a multitude of opportunities for our students: a visiting yoga instructor for DeLong phy ed, a makers space at McKinley, new before- and after-school clubs at Robbins and South, a class entrepreneurship experience at Montessori, Lily Pad Lab Kids in the Kitchen experiences, college scholarships, an artist in residence working with Flynn students, new unit art supplies at Meadowview, Odyssey of the Mind finals, cellos at Northstar and ukuleles at Lakeshore, flexible classroom seating at Locust Lane, a French class field trip to a French play at the Guthrie Theatre for North and Memorial, countless field trips across Wisconsin and Minnesota, and so much more! You can view the full list of the year’s grants in this report
Jenny Postlewaite Fesenmaier Engineer, Pablo Group
Kimberly Hill Phelps Educator
Dr. Jeff Jones CVTC Instructor, DDS Oral Surgeon
Heather Market-Sullivan Educator, Community Volunteer
Jennifer McHugh Director of Public Affairs & Financial Education, RCU
David Morley Retired Educator & Administrator
Rebecca Noland Retired, Fin. Director of City of EC
Flo Sheridan Retired Administrative Coordinator
Wayne Willie Vice President, Portfolio Manager U.S. Bank Wealth Management
and see the impact of your support. As an active member of the Eau Claire community and the parent of two ECASD students, I am awestruck by what an impact the partnerships created through the Foundation make. And how greatly these added experiences truly benefit our kids. Join me with a gift or a pledge to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation! Planned and endowed gifts have an especially lasting impact, and gifts of any size can be used to support our students today. Together, we are Ensuring the Future of quality public school education in Eau Claire. Thank you for your support!
Ex-Officio: Dr. Mary Ann Hardebeck Superintendent, ECASD
Dr. Lori Bica Commisioner, Board of Education, ECASD
Past Chairs: Charles Grossklaus (2015-2017) Dan Market (2011-2015)
Dr. Blenda Yun, Chair Physician, Mayo Clinic Health System 1
Contact Sarah French, Executive Director 500 Main St, P.O. Box 511 Eau Claire, WI 54702 715-852-3015 sarahfrench@ecpsfound.org
Types of Funds Unrestricted Fund
$500 to establish, $10,000 minimum to begin granting
Allows ECPSF the most flexibility to allocate dollars to the ever-changing needs of our schools through the grant process.
Donor Advised Fund
$1,500 to establish, $25,000 minimum to begin granting
Allows individuals, families and businesses to be fully involved in their philanthropy. Fund holders have the flexibility to recommend grants to specific schools.
Scholarship Fund
$1,000 to establish, $15,000 minimum to begin granting
Allows fund holders to support the post-secondary education of students from a high school of their choice.
Designated Fund
2019 Assets Held in Each Fund Type
$500 to establish, $10,000 minimum to begin granting
Allows fund holders to support their favorite school, activity, sport, or program forever. They can support one or more schools, even specific programs.
Acorn Fund Allows donors to invest as little as $500 up front, then add tax-deductible contributions for up to five years. The Acorn becomes fully funded when it reaches the minimum balance required for granting.
Pass-Through Fund Allows donors to support a specific purpose or project that will benefit our schools. This type of short-term fund closes once its goal is accomplished. Although the fund is temporary, its impact is forever!
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Featured Fund
Adopt-a-Backpack Fund The Adopt-a-Backpack Fund purchases backpacks for underprivileged children and ensures that all ECASD students will have the school supplies they need for the school year. The backpacks are placed out in various places in the community where community members “adopt” a backpack and fill it with much needed supplies. Throughout the summer, community members take the empty backpacks and purchase the needed supplies for a specific grade level of their choice. They return the filled backpack to the school district. It then becomes available for school staff members to provide to a child in need before school starts. There are extra donated full backpacks available throughout the school year. Since 2017, over 800 backpacks have been provided to students through Adopt-A-Backpack. This inspirational program has benefited over 200 families in the ECASD.
Funds for Today
Endowed Funds for the Future
The Funds for Today support projects and initiatives that meet current student needs. They include a Greatest Needs Fund for each school in the district, which addresses each school’s greatest needs as assessed by the school principal and approved by the ECPSF Board of Trustees. Gifts to these Funds for Today have an immediate and beneficial impact on ECASD students.
Endowed Funds for the Future and Quasi Endowed Funds for Tomorrow safeguard the principal of all the funds into perpetuity, while their earnings are available on an annual basis to support school programs, scholarships, or special projects as well as to assist students in need. Because of these Funds, students now and far into the future will benefit.
NEW Adopt-a-Backpack Fund
Joanne Marie Sommer Brighter Futures Scholarship Fund
Scholarship Fund Border Battle - an extension of Homeless Caravan Scholarship Fund Children & Youth Fund Connie Ulrich Women's District Wide Greatest Needs Fund for Today Athletics Fund Dream Act Fund DeLong Middle School NEW Eau Claire Memorial Athletic Facility Endowment Fund (ECMAF) Fund District Wide Endowed ECPSF Operations Fund Fund for the Future
Longfellow's JRLC Fund
Golden Apple Fund
ECPSF Fund for Tomorrow
Homeless Children and Youth Fund
Eric Mosel Scholarship Fund
Ross Proctor Music Scholarship Fund
Math Teachers Circles Fund
NEW Flynn Elementary School Endowment Fund
Night to Fight Hunger Fund - an Extension of Fight Against Hunger Fund North and Memorial All Night Graduation Party Fund Prairie Ridge Fight Against Hunger Fund NEW Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund
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Artist in Classroom Fund
Homeless Children & Youth Endowment Fund J. Murphy STEM Scholarship Fund
Market Family Education Fund McKinley Charter School Post-Secondary Success Fund Memorial Class of 58 Endowment Fund Niemuth Family Giving Tree Fund
Ruth Girnau Scholarship Fund Terry and Flo Sheridan Education Fund
4 NEW Funds!
Grantee Spotlight Eau Claire Children’s Theatre Field Trip All 7th graders at Northstar Middle School will be taking a field trip to see The Hobbit at the Eau Claire Children's Theatre on March 19, 2020. Some of our students have not had the opportunity to attend a play at a theatre. Because of ECPSF’s generous $860 grant, along with $600 from Northstar’s PTSA, all students will be able to attend the event at no cost. This field trip is an extension of our Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum. The Hobbit is a classic novel highlighting themes such as be your best self, leave a legacy, diversity, and leadership. Reading portions of the book and viewing the play will motivate students to read and discuss literature. We also hope to encourage students and staff to read the entire novel and The Lord of the Rings series.
2019
RECORD
Granting year!
$173,860
Grant Awards Each year, the Foundation awards grants to ECASD schools and classrooms for programs that provide students with valueadded learning opportunities, fulfill schools’ greatest needs, and support teachers’ professional development. Applicants must be ECASD teachers and staff, and all applications are reviewed by Foundation trustees
Featured Grants Robotics
Every year, grants are awarded to schools for programs that provide our students with value-added learning opportunities, fulfill their greatest needs, and more! In 2019, one grant supported the purchase of Sphero Mini robots at Putnam Heights Elementary. These robots will be used to teach students coding principles and to connect the math curriculum to hands-on applications. Fourth grade students will implement what they learned in math lessons on angles to create code sequences so that their robots can navigate mazes. Fifth grade students will navigate a coordinate plane with their robots. This will give them handson experience in visualizing how the angles translate onto a coordinate plane.
Highlights
ECPSF supported:
educational
impact
After-school art club
$56,000+ supplies & support for students In need
40+
additional field trips and enrichment opportunities
$21,000+ post-secondary scholarships
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Northwoods Elementary School’s art teacher, Julie Schaller, was able to offer after-school art classes thanks to a grant from a family fund of ECPSF. Offering a safe, fun, creative outlet for students to explore in was very popular with full classes of “happy, creative and artistic students doing good things after school!” Learning from Ms Schaller, and creating with media from chalks to pottery, students were able to learn more about art curricula beyond their time in the school day, giving them more time to explore unique interests. “Thank you, ECPSF, for the awesome grant!” Ms Schaller shared.
Leave a Legacy for Learning! Does your commitment to education in Eau Claire extend beyond your ability to make a current cash gift? If so, please consider remembering the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation (ECPSF) in your estate gift plan. Planned gifts come in many shapes and sizes, and can benefit our schools in any way that you wish to have an impact and leave your legacy. Your gift can support the ECPSF’s mission, can be added to an existing fund, or can establish a new fund to support your particular area of educational interest. All who establish a planned gift to benefit the ECPSF become members of the Legacy Society. Of course, wishes for anonymity are strictly honored.
Types of planned gifts: • Charitable Gift Annuity
• Bequest by Will
• Charitable Remainder and/or Charitable Lead Trust
• Life Insurance
• Real Estate
• Retirement Plans
We welcome you to contact us to discuss your goals in supporting education. In all cases, please also seek the advice of your attorney, financial planner, accountant or other estate planning professional.
Become a Charter Member of our newly formed Legacy Society! Charter Members: Ruth Girnau* Charles & Becky Grossklaus Phil & Carol Mosel Rick & Carol Olson Corrine (Connie) Ulrich* Anonymous (2)
To learn more about how to make a gift in your estate plan to support our schools, please contact Sarah French, Executive Director, at 715-852-3015 or sarahfrench@ecpsfound.org
*Denotes deceased
“It is important to support our students and teachers for needs that our budget can not meet. We take pride in the quality of public education in Eau Claire and want to Continue to help maintain it.” -Carol Olson “The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation was created because there was a need created by the lack of funding for basic educational programs and supporting materials for our youth. Our dedicated teachers and staff were spending their personal savings to purchase needed supplies for their classroom.” -Charlie Grossklaus
The annual Golden Apples are awarded by nomination of peers and distinguish one outstanding educator or staff member in each of the twenty ECASD schools. ECPSF partners with generous area businesses to sponsor unrestricted grant funding for each honoree and school.
2019 Honorees Third row from left: Lynn Christianson (Northstar), Lindsey Anderson (Putnam), Johna Stern (South), Tricia Kwick (Lakeshore), Heather Bauer (Northwoods), Lisa Pomazal (Robbins). Second row from left: Brad Chapman (Meadowview), Paulette Sampson (North), Julie Becker (Sherman), Nicole Salter (Prairie Ridge), Betsy Lindholm (Montessori), Dustin Hayes (DeLong), Meg Nord (Longfellow), Sue Pisani (Manz). First row from left: Nevada Franz (McKinley), Patty Zwiefelhofer (Memorial), Michelle Richards (Locust Lane), Rachel Schank (Sam Davey), Jeannie Miller (Roosevelt), Heidi Hebert (Flynn).
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Scholarships 2019 Recipients
funds. Scholarships are awarded at the end of the student’s senior year. Students apply through the Career Counsellor’s office.
J. Murphy STEM Scholarship
Caravan Scholarship
The J. Murphy STEM Scholarship Fund was established by an anonymous donor in honor of the donor’s mother’s teaching career with the Eau Claire Area School District, and in celebration of STEM education. Applicants must have the intent of majoring in a STEM program (science, technology, engineering or math); preference for women applicants.
The Caravan Scholarship was established by two donors in celebration of band participation with Memorial High School and the Eau Claire Area School District. Accepted applicants must: have participated in band all four years of their studies at Memorial High School, and intend to continue band participation in post-secondary studies.
Recipients: Alexis Walters Thidarat Yang
Eric Mosel Scholarship The Eric Mosel Memorial Scholarship was established by the Mosel Family in memory of Eric Donald Mosel, North High School Class of 1995 wrestling team captain. This scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior member of the North High School wrestling team who has exhibited Eric’s qualities of dedication, determination, humor, honesty, and integrity.
Recipient:
Recipient: Madeline Kotz
Joanne Marie Sommer Scholarship The Joanne Marie Sommer Scholarship was established by an ECASD family in memory of their mother and wife, in celebration of education and community service with North High School and the Eau Claire Area School District. Accepted applicants must have performed some community service in the Chippewa Valley during their studies at North High School.
Recipient: Anna Kent
Carter Duerkop
Ruth Girnau Scholarship
Ross Proctor Music Scholarship
The Ruth Girnau Scholarship annually recognizes a graduating senior from North High School and a graduating senior from Memorial High School who are pursuing postsecondary education and have financial need.
Established in memory of North High School alumnus Ross Proctor, this fund is dedicated to supporting North High School graduates who share Ross’s passion and talent for music.
Recipient: Alexandra Warren
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Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation holds several scholarship
Recipients: Emma Lauer Touchong Yang Madilyn Hickey
2019 Grant Listing
Record granting year!
Schools and Partnerships:
Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School: • E2 Tea Company entrepreneurship program • Montessori Executive Function Scale screener, assess predictors of academic success • Dressers and cabinet for bathroom • School supplies and games DeLong Middle School: • Fitness Friday visiting yoga instructor • Mathematics professional development conference Eau Claire Area School District Wide: • Lily Pad Lab Kids in the Kitchen experience for 4th graders • Homeless program needs: winter gear, school supplies, transportation, after school care • Brighter Futures Scholarships to CVTC • Border Battle expenses • 5th Grade Track Meet expenses • Odyssey of the Mind world competition student costs • Blugold Beginnings programming • Outstanding lunch balances Flynn Elementary School: • Field Trip: 1st grade to Eau Claire Children’s Theatre • Drinking fountain • Field trip: Minneapolis Institute of Art • Artist in the Classroom experience Lakeshore Elementary School: • School supplies and recess equipment • Classroom set of ukuleles for music program • Field trip buses to UWEC Haas Fine Arts Locust Lane Elementary School: • Flexible classroom seating Longfellow Elementary School: • Field trip: Carson Park • Field trip: Summer School Beaver Creek Reserve • JRLC after school program staffing and expenses • Library student technology supplies. • Field trip: K3 to Pablo Center Ballet • Field trip: Children’s Museum
$173,860
Manz Elementary School:
North High School:
• GoZen! program
• Field trip: French class to Guthrie Theatre: Cyrano de Bergerac • Class of 1968 reunion class gift to support student lunches • Athletic fees for students in need • Sauder cabinet for technology education department • All-Night Graduation Party expenses • Supplies to create school Little Free Library • AP exam fee waivers
McKinley Charter School: • Makers Space • Student landscaping project • Supplies for family nights, • Student bike helmets • Real life academy lunches • Student tie dye supplies Meadowview Elementary School: • Baggo game set for physical education • Art classroom printmaking supplies for new 4th and 5th grade art unit • Kindness Retreat for 4th graders Memorial High School: • National Science Teacher Association online conference • Field trip: French class to Guthrie Theatre: Cyrano de Bergerac • Athletic fees for students in need • Band New York City spring break trip, student travel expenses • All-Night Graduation Party expenses • Powermatic drill press for technology education department • Field trip: Choir to UWEC Opera and Audacious performance • Field trip: Biotechnology class to UWRF Engineering program Northwoods Elementary School: • Supplies for 25th Anniversary Celebration • Art supplies for after-school art club Northstar Middle School: • After school board game club • Field trip: ECCT to Boxcar Children • Field trip: Pablo Center to The Giver • Field trip: 8th grade to Guthrie Theatre Christmas Carol • Grill for student and staff appreciation events • Flexible seating for special education classrooms and class games • Orchestra classroom, Eastman ¾ cello
Prairie Ridge Early Learning: • Family support services • Science materials for classroom • Food pantry and crockpot project supplies • Summer meals program supplies Putnam Heights Elementary School: • Outdoor entryway branding project • Field trip: Kindergarten to Jeremiah’s Bullfrog Farm • Family Conversation Kits Robbins Elementary School: • STEM Kits for before and after school • Sensory hallway creation supplies Roosevelt Elementary School: • Electric piano and bench Sam Davey Elementary School: • Soccer nets for playground South Middle School: • Mountain bike club supplies • Classroom flexible seating environment pilot experiment • Native plantings sustainable garden project
Sarah French Executive Director 715-852-3015 sarahfrench@ecpsfound.org www.ecpsfound.org
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Financial Report Statement of Financial Activity
Statement of Financial Position Assets Checking and Money Market Investments Pledges Receivable Other Assets Total Assets
2019*
2018
356,520
332,014
2,028,854
1,455,380
101,000
5,000
989
–
$ 2,487,363
$ 1,792,394
900
2,325
$ 900
$ 2,325
Liabilities & Net Assets Other Liabilities Total Liabilities Beginning Balance of Net Assets Change in Net Assets Total Liabilities & Net Assets
1,790,069
1,533,413
696,394
256,656
$ 2,487,363
$ 1,792,394
Support & Other Revenue Contributions to Funds Contributions to Operations Investment Gains (Losses)
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2018 548,513
77,106
58,756
283,716
(99,802)
34,197
27,869
$ 1,077,396
$ 535,336
247,794
163,666
Program Expenses
11,836
14,390
Operating Expenses
80,380
67,314
Fund Expenses
34,197
27,869
6,795
5,441
Administrative Fee Revenue Total Support & Other Revenue
Grants & Expenses Grants
Investment Management Fees Total Grants & Expenses Change in Net Assets
*2019 Unaudited
2019* 682,377
381,002
278,680
$ 696,394
$ 256,656
Founding Partners for Education Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation was founded in 2011, started by a small group of community educators and leaders believing that support beyond the tax dollar can make good education excellent. ECPSF gratefully thanks the Founding Partners for Education who joined together to establish a strong base of funding and support through their leadership gifts. Anonymous (2)
Dan & Debbie Market
Dean J. Arnold
Jeff & Eileen Munger Family
Dr. Louis G. Arnold
David E. Richie
David & Gail Barnes
Terry* & Flo Sheridan
William & Beth Blackburn
Kirk & Wendy Strang
Steve Brimmer
Susan & Roger Tietz
Greg Caucutt & Amy Carr Caucatt
Skip & Jane Van Gorden
Patti Cigan
Family & Friends of Michael J. Webb
Trish Cummins & John Plewa
Ben & Lori Whitis
Katheryn Proctor Duax & David L.E. Duax*
Becky & Dave Wood
Ken & Lori Faanes
Dr. Blenda Yun & Lane Biggs
Mark & Donna Faanes Jim & Lynn Fering Thomas & Monika Fiedler Mike Graf & Lisa Stetler Graf Charles & Becky Grossklaus
American Phoenix, Inc. Eau Claire North High School Athletic Booster Club Eau Claire Seymour Lions Club
Christine Hambuch-Boyle
First Choice Occupational Medicine & Disability, & Hebl Family
& Stephen Boyle Family
Ken Vance Motors
Mary Ann & Herb Hardebeck
Lasker Jewelers, Lasker Family
Slavko & Elizabeth Ivankovic
Macy’s Foundation
Jerry & Jane Johnson
Market & Johnson, Inc.
Wendy Sue Johnson
Micon Cinemas, Mike & Connie
Jeff & Karen Jones
Olson Family
Jack & Sally Kaiser
Northwestern Bank
Mary Beth Kelley-Lowe & Scott Lowe
Scheels
Harold ‘Diz’ Kronenbrg
Wipfli
Marv Lansing & Nancy Kraft
Xcel Energy
Wayne & Carole Halberg
*Denotes deceased
Credits Photography by: Jeff Thompson Photography Layout & Design by: Jeremy Lamb, Graphic Designer
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Charitable partner of the Eau Claire Area School District
Ensuring the Future
500 Main St, P.O. Box 511 Eau Claire, WI 54702 715-852-3015 sarahfrench@ecpsfound.org www.ecpsfound.org Photography by: Jeff Thompson Photography Layout & Design by: Jeremy Lamb, Graphic Designer
2019 Annual Report