Local Education Foundation Celebrates $3 Million Milestone in Supporting St. Cloud Schools

(KNSI) – Local Education & Activities Foundation For St. Cloud Area School District 742 is touting its contributions to classrooms so the student experience comes with extra credit.

LEAF Executive Director Bruce Hentges spoke with KNSI’s Bob Hughes about what makes their nonprofit different. “Many education foundations are scholarship focused. We are program focused. We want the funds to go to support as many students as possible.”

Hentges talked about how much money they’ve been able to donate. “Over these years, we have granted just under $3 million since 1997 to support District 742 programming.”

An endowment invested with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has around $2.5 million to generate grants at a rate of about 5% per year. The endowments support adopt-a-classroom, homeless student services, language immersion, playground upgrades, music matters, PAKRAT and the PAKCAT programs.

During the organization’s annual banquet last week, its Retired Educators Club was honored for their support. “That club just went over $100,000 during 2023. And so we invited the retired educators into our annual meeting, we recognized them and gave them a lapel pin.”

Hentges says the support of its former workers is inspiring. “It shows the community the fact that educators have stayed connected with the school district. And it helps, I think, build community support for our public schools.”

This year’s Night of the Stars is on hiatus due to scheduling issues and getting space for the performance. The show had a 20-year run, and officials hope they can bring it back.

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