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544 Foundation hits $100,000 mark
Published 7:54am Monday, March 8, 2010The 544 Education Foundation has met a major milestone in its effort to award grants to the Fergus Falls School District.
After 10 years of service, the foundation recently hit the $100,000 grant donation mark.
The foundation first began in 2000 by awarding one grant per year. As funds began to grow and memberships increased, the organization found itself awarding up to $20,000 a year in grants.
“I think it’s been huge,” Foundation Director Mindy Fuder said of the organization’s contribution to the district.
The foundation’s creation came at a time when districts around the state were dealing with budget cuts. Seeing as though those cuts have continued, the foundation has played a major role in supplying teachers with material they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Recently, Fuder said grant requests from teachers have primary included technology.
“Lately there have been a lot of technology requests,” Fuder said. “We’re not able to fund them all, but we do what we can.”
Smart boards, which are interactive, large screen computer-like devices, have been a hot item among teachers of all grade levels. Other popular items have included camcorders and iPods, used at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center by students who create walking tours for the center’s visitors.
In addition to the grants, which are awarded twice a year, the Foundation has also contributed over $80,000 for two mobile computer labs. The mobile labs consist of around 30 top of the line laptops, which students are able to use in the familiar setting of their regular classroom.
The majority of funding for the Foundation has been generated through memberships, with big contributors also adding to the budget. Every year, the Foundation sees around 500 members regularly donate to the cause. Big contributed, which have included the Veden Trust, Otter Tail Power and Lake Region Healthcare, have also been extremely helpful to the organization, Fuder said.
The Foundation is a fairly type of organizations emerging in communities throughout the country. Similar to an alumni association found on nearly all campuses, the 544 Education Foundation seeks support from Fergus Falls Alumni, many who donate from various locations throughout the United States. For more information, check the Web site at www.544foundation.org.
