2021 Annual Report Ensuring the Future
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
Charitable partner of Eau Claire Area School District
2021-2022 Board of Trustees
Jim McDougall, Chair Founder & CEO, UpStream
Wayne Wille, Vice Chair
Letter from the ECPSF Chair This year, we have seen many changes in our schools. Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is proud to serve as the charitable partner of Eau Claire Area School District, connecting YOU with opportunities to have an impact on today’s students and staff.
Trust Portfolio Manager, US Bank
Dustin Wiesner, Treasurer Tax Manager, Wipfli LLC
Julia Diggins Director of Development, UW-Eau Claire Foundation
Mike Emberson Co-Owner, Zacho Sports Center
Kimberly Hill Phelps Retired Educator
Patti Iverson Community Volunteer
Brad Juhlke Senior Accountant, Wipfli
Emily Kurth Marketing Specialist, Realityworks
Dr. Carmen Manning Dean, UWEC College of Education and Human Sciences
Donors like you offered a bright light for our schools when they needed it most. As teachers & staff and students & families continued to adapt, you were there supporting another record year in grants to our schools, with over $315,000 granted. You made a neighborhood cleanup class project happen, teaching our students about the benefit of giving back, while helping elderly neighbors. You provided school supplies and winter gear to students in need, ensuring any child who needed help received it. You expanded classroom libraries, offering new literature and ideas to students. You did all of this, and so much more. Thank you for saying YES to our schools. We appreciate the opportunity to help you fulfill your philanthropic goals supporting education. Together, we are Ensuring the Future of quality public education in Eau Claire.
Heather Market-Sullivan
Jim McDougall Chair - Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation
Community Volunteer
Jennifer McHugh VP Community Engagement, Royal Credit Union
David Morley Retired Educator
Angie Nijhawan Community Volunteer
Rebecca Noland Retired, City of Eau Claire
Derek Prestin Attorney, Ruder Ware
Michael Strubel General Sales Manager, WEAU 13 News
Ex-Officio: Mike Johnson Superintendent, Eau Claire Area School District
Mission Dedicated to promoting education by fostering supportive relationships with 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
Dr. Lori Bica Commisioner, Eau Claire Area School District Board of Education
Past Chairs: Dan Market (2011-2015) Charlie Grossklaus (2015-2017) Dr. Blenda Yun (2017-2020)
Contact Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation 500 Main St, P.O. Box 511 Eau Claire, WI 54702 715-852-3015 director@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 the ECASD.
2021 Assets Held in Each Fund Type 11%
4%
58%
10%
Designated Fund $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/Special Project 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!
2%
15%
MILLIONTH Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation announces its
DOLLAR GRANTED!
ECPSF
GRANTS
SCHOOLS Grants have supported:
Solar on Eau Claire Schools at North and Memorial High Schools.
Winter gear and school supplies for students in need districtwide.
After school art club at Northwoods Elementary School.
Visiting yoga instructor at DeLong Middle School and Longfellow Elementary School.
Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation celebrated its millionth dollar granted in support of Eau Claire Area School District. The granting has supported a wide array of District needs and priorities, as well as donor passion projects. From field trips to greatest needs, from classroom supplies to innovative experiences, from scholarships to capital projects, the impact of $1,000,000+ is momentous for teachers and students.
Thank you for helping us ensure the future!
Fund List Unrestricted
ECPSF Scholarship Fund
Districtwide Endowed Fund for the Future
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Fund
ECPSF Fund for Tomorrow
GATEWAYS Fund
Donor Advised Market Family Education Fund Terry and Flo Sheridan Education Fund
Scholarship Brighter Futures Scholarship Fund Eric Mosel Scholarship Fund J. Murphy STEM Scholarship Fund
Golden Apple Fund Homeless Children and Youth Fund Math Teachers Circles 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
School Pass-Through
Joanne Marie Sommer Scholarship Fund
DeLong Middle School Fund for Today
PESI/Mike Conner Scholarship Fund
Flynn Elementary Fund for Today
Ross Proctor Music Scholarship Fund
Lakeshore Elementary Fund for Today
Ruth Girnau Scholarship Fund
Locust Lane Elementary Fund for Today
Designated Artist in Classroom Fund Connie Ulrich Women's Athletics Fund DeLong Middle School Endowment Fund Flynn Elementary School Endowment Fund Homeless Children and Youth Endowment Fund Husky Helping Hands Fund Longfellow's JRLC Fund Niemuth Family Giving Tree Fund
Acorn
Longfellow Elementary Fund for Today Manz Elementary Fund for Today McKinley Charter School Fund for Today Meadowview Elementary Fund for Today Memorial High School Fund for Today Montessori Charter School Fund for Today North High School Fund for Today Northstar Middle School Fund for Today Northwoods Elementary Fund for Today Prairie Ridge Early Learning Fund for Today Putnam Elementary Fund for Today
Caravan Scholarship Fund
Robbins Elementary Fund for Today
Mai Kou Lee Scholarship
Roosevelt Elementary Fund for Today
McKinley Charter School Post-Secondary Success Fund
Sam Davey Elementary Fund for Today
Memorial Class of 58 Endowment Fund
Sherman Elementary Fund for Today
Music Access Fund
South Middle School Fund for Today
Samantha Renee Memorial Fund
Pass-Through Adopt a Backpack Fund Border Battle - an extension of Homeless Children & Youth Fund Districtwide Greatest Needs Fund for Today Dream Act Fund Eau Claire Memorial Athletic Facility (ECMAF) Fund ECPSF Operations Fund
60+ FUNDS
*Bold = new this year!
“Mirroring the real world and learning these skills outside of a traditional high school environment makes all the difference!" – GATEWAYS parent GATEWAYS (Grow, Achieve, Transition, Empower, Working At Your Success) is the new community based transition option program for students with disabilities ages 18-21, supporting the transition from school services to adult life, and located in Eastridge Center. Following spring approval from the school board, renovations took place over the summer, and student use began in the fall.
Public Private Partnership ECASD supported the construction and lease of the space. Donors supported $100,000 to outfit it with the necessary furniture, appliances, and more. With the fundraising goal to furnish the space met, the next phase is supporting programming for the students.
“This is what can happen when staff dream, and donors say ‘yes’!” - Mike Johnson, ECASD Superintendent
“I love it. I never want to leave.” – GATEWAYS student
“We are excited to be partnering with the Foundation to enhance this opportunity for our students!” – Mandy VanVleet, ECASD Executive Director of Special Education
Grant Spotlights Neighborhood Clean Up DeLong Middle School social studies teacher Mr. Wathke was awarded an ECPSF grant to launch his student success class project of neighborhood cleanup. In the fall months, the students went out into the DeLong neighborhood to rake leaves for elderly neighbors, and winter brought snow shoveling! Mr. Wathke shared “going out into our neighborhoods not only helps our neighbors, but greatly benefits the students’ social and emotional health too! Thanks again for making this happen for our students and the neighbors of our school.”
Brent Wathke, Social Studies Teacher, DeLong Middle School
Flexible Seating Each year, Golden Apple Honorees are celebrated with grant funding to use in their classrooms. Locust Lane Elementary School’s 2021 Honoree, Ms. Pritchard, used her grant to purchase flexible seating for her students. “The seats allow students to wiggle and move their bodies, while still focusing on their work. My students are more engaged, attentive to their work, and they participate more,” she shared. “We love them!” Melissa Pritchard, Second Grade Teacher, Locust Lane Elementary School
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 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 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: Don* & Jan Etnier Ruth Girnau* Charles & Becky Grossklaus Phil & Carol Mosel Rick & Carol Olson
Corrine (Connie) Ulrich* Marv Lansing & Nancy Kraft Carol Craig Anonymous (2)
To learn more about how to make a gift in your estate plan to support our schools, please contact us at 715-852-3015 or director@ecpsfound.org
*Denotes deceased
The annual Golden Apples are awarded by the nomination of peers and distinguish one outstanding educator or staff member in each of the twenty ECASD schools, as well as one honoree from districtwide support. ECPSF partners with generous area businesses to sponsor unrestricted grant funding for each honoree and school. Grant funding has been used to support classroom supplies, playground equipment, field trips, musical instruments, and more!
2021 Grant Listing ECASD Districtwide: • Diverse authors speaker series • Solar on Eau Claire Schools • Student backpacks and school supplies • Student winter gear • Summer school busing • Teacher Appreciation Week • Transportation for families in need Chippewa Valley Montessori Charter School: • Classroom library books • Social justice classroom library books DeLong Middle School: • Neighborhood cleanup class project Flynn Elementary School: • 1st grade yoga program • Artist in the classroom experience • Disc golf and recess games Lakeshore Elementary School: • 3D printer • Social justice classroom library books Locust Lane Elementary School: • Classroom flexible seating • TEACHH special ed supplies Longfellow Elementary School: • Classroom games • End of year student celebration • Student headphones Manz Elementary School: • Classroom supplies • Reading rewards program McKinley Charter School: • Student holiday incentives
Meadowview Elementary School: • 1st grade frisbee golf • Classroom supplies • Culturally responsive posters project • Special education supplies • Staff appreciation supplies Memorial High School: • All night graduation party • Black Student Union participation in UWEC Civil Rights Pilgrimage • Fab lab materials and equipment North High School: • All night graduation party • Auditorium microphones • Classroom library books • Daktronics tech ed supplies • Fab lab materials and equipment • Freedom Riders guest speaker • Project Lead the Way wind tunnel Northstar Middle School: • Indigenous artist mural project • School community garden • Staff appreciation event Northwoods Elementary School: • New building signage • Sensory and special ed materials Prairie Ridge Early Learning Center: • Classroom sensory and switch toys • Food pantry supplies Putnam Heights Elementary School: • ELL family engagement project
Roosevelt Elementary School: • Classroom flexible seating • Classroom library books • Classroom supplies • Conscious Discipline materials for staff • Gaga Ball pit • Scholastic books for students Sam Davey Elementary School: • Bal-A-Vis-X exercise prog for kids Sherman Elementary School: • Sensory classroom furniture • Sensory classroom reading nook South Middle School: • Disc golf course • Innovative Spanish teaching materials • Math club supplies • School spirit cafeteria signage • Trauma teaching materials Scholarships: Brighter Futures Scholarship: Student supplies Eric Mosel Scholarship: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University J Murphy STEM Scholarship: UW-Madison (2), UW-La Crosse, UM-Duluth PESI/Mike Conner Scholarship: UW-Oshkosh Ruth Girnau Scholarship: Michigan Technological University, UW-Eau Claire
Robbins Elementary School: • Art weave/loop project • Classroom flexible seating • Classroom library books • Coding Ozobots
Record Granting Year!
$315,665
75r+ships
schola ed award
200+
field trips an d immersive experience s
+ k 0 2 4 $ upport of
in s cts e j o r p l capita
Fund Spotlight The Districtwide Endowed Fund for the Future was created by the Founding Partners when ECPSF was established to provide a committed level of annual support. Gifts to this fund remain with the fund in perpetuity, and the investment income is used annually to meet current needs or fund special projects as part of a grant application process. Endowments are designated funds for a specific purpose that are structured so that the principal amount is kept intact while the investment income is available for granting or reinvestment to build the endowment. This allows donations to have a greater impact over a longer period of time. A permanent endowment is a key component of successful foundations supporting public education. ECPSF holds additional endowed funds that are invested with the general endowment. Each of these funds keep their principal intact while the generated interest is used to support the specific purpose of the fund(s).
Celebrating 10 Years! Established in 2011 by the Founding Partners of Education, ECPSF has seen momentous growth in ten years. ECPSF connects generous donors with Eau Claire Area School District to supplement the tax-based funding of our schools in the form of classroom grants, and funding special projects, annual teacher and staff Golden Apple Awards, greatest needs, educator innovation, and more. Dan Market, a Founding Partner of ECPSF, served as the first Board chair. He and his wife, Debbie, hold a donor-advised family fund that awards grants for school programs and projects. “Strong schools are an important part of a community. When we first established ECPSF, one of our primary goals was to make sure today’s kids have the same opportunities that Debbie and I had growing up,” he shared. “The Foundation is doing great work to support our school district’s teachers, students, and needs, and we are thrilled to be a part of that.”
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)
Mary Ann & Herb Hardebeck
Dr. Blenda Yun & Lane Biggs
Dean J. Arnold
Slavko & Elizabeth Ivankovic
American Phoenix, Inc.
Dr. Louis G. Arnold
Jerry & Jane Johnson
Eau Claire North High School Athletic
David & Gail Barnes
Wendy Sue Johnson
William & Beth Blackburn
Jeff & Karen Jones
Eau Claire Seymour Lions Club
Steve Brimmer
Jack & Sally Kaiser
First Choice Occupational Medicine
Greg Caucutt & Amy Carr Caucatt
Mary Beth Kelley-Lowe & Scott Lowe
Patti Cigan
Harold ‘Diz’ Kronenbrg*
Trish Cummins & John Plewa
Marv Lansing & Nancy Kraft
Kathryn Proctor Duax & David L.E. Duax*
Dan & Debbie Market
Ken & Lori Faanes
Jef & Eileen Munger Family
Mark & Donna Faanes
David E. Richie
Jim & Lynn Fering
Terry* & Flo Sheridan
Thomas & Monika Fiedler
Kirk & Wendy Strang
Mike Graf & Lisa Stetler Graf
Susan & Roger Tietz
Charles & Becky Grossklaus
Skip & Jane Van Gorden
Wayne & Carole Halberg
Family & Friends of Michael J. Webb
Christine Hambuch-Boyle
Ben & Lori Whitis
& Stephen Boyle Family
Becky & Dave Wood
Booster Club
& Disability, & Hebl Family Ken Vance Motors Lasker Jewelers, Lasker Family Macy’s Foundation Market & Johnson, Inc. Micon Cinemas, Mike & Connie Olson Family Northwestern Bank Scheels Wipfli Xcel Energy *Denotes deceased
Financial Report Statement of Financial Position Assets
2020
2021* 554,619
543,856
3,138,357
2,461,910
61,000
101,000
636
-
$ 3,754,612
$ 3,106,766
Other Liabilities
-
1,670
Total Liabilities
-
1,670
3,152,607
2,486,450
Checking and Money Market Investments Pledges Receivable - Funds Prepaid Expenses Total Assets
ENSURING THE FUTURE
Liabilities
Beginning Balance of Net Assets
602,005
618,646
$ 3,754,612
$ 3,106,766
Change in Net Assets
Total Liabilities & Net Assets *2021 Unaudited
Statement of Financial Activity Support & Other Revenue Contributions - Funds Contributions - Operations Investment Gains (Losses) Administrative Fee Revenue
Totals
2021*
2020
668,648
601,564
63,266
78,314
313,734
231,208
18,316
17,091
$ 1,063,964
$ 928,177
315,666
262,207
66,511
65,689
63,065
59,281
16,717
8,232
$ 461,959
$ 395,409
Grants & Expenses Grants Operating Expenses Fund Expenses Investment Management Fees
Totals *2021 Unaudited
Credits Photography by: Jeff Thompson Photography Layout & Design by: Emily Kuipers, Graphic Designer
500 Main St, P.O. Box 511 Eau Claire, WI 54702 715-852-3015 director@ecpsfound.org www.ecpsfound.org