2016 Annual Report

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St. Paul Central High School Foundation Annual Report for 2016

 

Introduction

Incorporated in 1986, the St. Paul Central High School Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to directly helping St. Paul Central High School students by financially supporting academic and co-curricular activities associated with the school.

The Foundation was established to address the following goals:

  • To be a constructive influence at Central High School without being intrusive or without replacing normal school funding
  • To stimulate innovative programs designed to help assure that all Central High School students graduate
  • To incorporate community involvement to benefit both students and staff and
  • To provide alumni, parents and friends the opportunity to give financial assistance to graduating seniors who have been accepted to a post-secondary institution.

To date, the Foundation has focused its efforts primarily on the fourth goal, each year awarding post-secondary scholarships to deserving graduating Central High School seniors at Senior Awards Night in late May.

 

Accomplishments in 2016
2016 was an incredible year for the Foundation, highlighted by awarding more scholarships and more dollars than any time in its history. Specific named scholarship funds were created and funded this year for several new scholarships.  This resulted in record donations to the Foundation in 2016.

The stage is set for continued growth and awareness in 2017.

 

2016 highlights include:

 

Scholarships

  • Twenty (20) scholarships were awarded for a total of $26,000:
    • 12 Foundation Scholarships, each for $1,000;
    • one $3,000 Mary Mackbee Legacy Scholarship;
    • one $1,000 Nora Longley Scholarship;
    • two $1,000 Greg Janisch Scholarships;
    • three Heiruspecs Scholarships, each for $1,000, and
    • one Thomas Rohricht Scholarships of $15,000
  • The Board hosted the second annual breakfast for the 2016 scholarship recipients on June 1.
  • $1,000 was contributed to the Principal’s Fund, which had lost funding from Target
  • A community fundraising event was held for Philando Castile in August, which raised more than $50,000 in scholarships, spearheaded by board members Trevor Throntveit and Melinda Donaway.

 

Fundraising

  • It was an amazing year!
  • Financial contributions totaled $208,000, compared to $37,900 in 2015, $25,495 in 2014. This is largely due to major increase in named scholarships to support Central students
  • General fund contributions were roughly $25,600 vs. roughly $18,000 last year, a 42% increase.
  • The Foundation launched a campaign in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of Central 150by150 and received 131 donations of $150 or more.
  • 600 individuals contributed to the Foundation in 2016, as compared to 117 in 2015, 147 in 2014
  • We received 23 contributions of $1,000 or more, compared to 7 last year.

Board Development

  • We welcomed two new Board members:
    • Liz Flinn, Central Class of 1987
    • Lisa Heyman, parent of three Central students (past and present) and key member of Transforming Central
  • The Executive Committee met Quarterly in advance of the Board meetings
  • For 2016 the committee chairs were as follows:
    • Alex Cook, Treasurer
    • Trevor Throntveit-Secretary
    • Board Development  – Jean Peterson
    • Assistant Treasurer/Fundraising – Jean O’Connell
  • The Board gathered for a summer meeting and social evening at the home of Board member Wendy Lutter to welcome new members and strengthen connections

 

Operations

  • The Board increased Foundation visibility through continued partnership with Transforming Central
  • The Board participated in the 2016 150th celebration and 150by150 fundraising campaign
  • Banking was consolidated and an online savings account was established
  • The Foundation website was updated with a new design and fresh content
  • The Foundation website saw record traffic
  • The Facebook page increased traffic and content
  • The Foundation database was enriched with many new names and email addresses.

 

2016 St. Paul Central High School Foundation Board of Directors

Wendy Lutter, President ‘85                                               Trevor Throntveit, Secretary, ’01

Jean Peterson, Vice President, p ’96, ’00,‘12                     Jean O’Connell, Asst.Treasurer, ’70

Alex Cook ‘99, Treasurer

 

Liz Flinn ’87                                                                       Merone Melekin ’10

Melinda Donaway (Coffee) ‘01                               Jackie Cooper ‘69

Zack Steven, ‘91                                                    Oulia Yang

Sabah Husain ‘10                                                  Lisa Heyman, p’18,’14,’10

Honorary Members

Rod Lawson, ’36

Dick Magraw, ‘36

Howard Guthmann, ‘40

Betsy Guthmann ’46

Kathy Wellington, p ’99, ’01

Mary Mackbee, Ex-officio

 

(Report prepared by Wendy Lutter, President, 1/25/2017)

The St. Paul Central High School is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization