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544 Education Foundation at a glance
Published 12:16pm Tuesday, October 25, 2011The 544 Education Foundation serves as an important partner with the Fergus Falls School District and has granted our schools with over $100,000 in awards during the past 11 years. The Foundation has one basic, top priority — students.
Background
The 544 Education Foundation was founded on Sept. 27, 2000, with Mindy (Hanneman) Fuder, Class of 1997, serving as their current executive director. The Foundation’s office is located at 518 Friberg Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537; and can be reached by phone at (218) 998-0544, Ext. 2621. The Foundation’s Web site is www.544foundation.org.
The vision of the organization is to enhance the quality of public education in the Fergus Falls Public Schools. Its mission is to raise, invest, and grant money through a charitable foundation to support educational programs.
The organization, incorporated as a non-profit 501 (c) (3), provides the district with additional resources to aid in future student success stories.
The Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation’s core values are supported by the following principles:
• Top priority is best interest of students
• Assist Fergus Falls Public Schools to accomplish their educational mission
• Continue to strive for an immediate impact with the awarding of grants
• Focus on long-term goals for financial stability
• The Foundation will be remain neutral on district policy
If you’re a graduate or friend of the Fergus Falls High School, you are invited to become a member of the Foundation. Memberships directly support a variety of educational areas that would otherwise be left unfunded. These donations are constantly making a difference in the life of a child.
$20,000 in grants
awarded to district schools
The 544 Education Foundation awarded $20,000 in grants to the Fergus Falls School District at its Oct. 13, board meeting. The Foundation received 23 grant requests totaling more than $34,000. With a $20,000 budget, they were able to fund 18 at either full or partial amounts. The grants awarded are as follows:
• $300 for supplies for the Otter Garden
• $331.70 for vision screening equipment for the School District
• $375 for 25 scientific calculators for the Area Learning Center’s Mathematics Department
• $400 for materials for a behavior management reward store for the Special Education Department at Cleveland Elementary
• $360 for apps for 30 iPod Touches at Cleveland Elementary
• $500 to cover expenses for the 9th Annual Hall of Fame/Senior Recognition Banquet
• $500 for parts to construct a “Super Mileage Vehicle”
• $600 for a document camera for a Special Education classroom at Kennedy Secondary School
• $683.24 for 8 digital cameras for the Prairie Science Classes at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
• $700 for 3 iPod Touches for the 6th grade
• $900.99 for a wireless microphone unit for the Kennedy Secondary School Auditorium
• $1,000 for Otter Preschool scholarships for the 2012-2013 school year
• $1,225 for assessment software for the Kindergarten teachers
• $1,330 for a Promethean Unit (interactive whiteboard) and projector for the library at Cleveland Elementary
$1500 for before- and after-school homework help at Cleveland Elementary
• $1500 for 3 iPads for the Special Education Department at Cleveland Elementary
• $2290 for 10 iPod Touches at Cleveland Elementary
• $5504.29 for a new wheel balancer for the Automotive Program at Roosevelt Education Center
The District would like to once again thank the 544 Education Foundation for their generosity and long-term partnership with our district which allows our students and staff resources to be better prepared in the educational process.
