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Bemidji 31 Education Foundation pitches mini-golf fundraiser, seeks volunteers to expand classroom grants
Summary
At the Sept. 15 Bemidji Public School District board meeting, Jeff Hack, president of the Bemidji 31 Education Foundation, described the group's classroom-focused grants (83 projects totaling about $53,000 since 2019) and promoted upcoming fundraisers including an Edu Putt mini-golf event to raise funds and recruit informal volunteers.
Jeff Hack, president of the Bemidji 31 Education Foundation, told the Bemidji Public School District board on Sept. 15 that the foundation’s mission is to “enhance the educational experiences for the children in our district” by funding classroom projects.
The foundation, a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, has funded 83 projects totaling roughly $53,000 since it began in 2019 and budgets about $14,000 for grants this year. Hack said the foundation focuses on classroom needs rather than extracurriculars or scholarships, and that most awards are small, educator-directed grants: “Trust the educators,” he said, adding that teachers often know best which classroom supplies or experiences will help students.
Hack described examples of funded projects that range from established programs to one-time purchases: a 3-D printer request granted in full, continued support for a third-grade rocketry program at Lincoln, and contributions to make an outdoor classroom at Horace May accessible for students who use wheelchairs. He said the foundation can fund entire projects, sustain existing programs, or be a small partner in larger efforts.
To expand its grantmaking, the foundation is holding multiple fundraisers. Hack recapped a successful August car show and promoted the Edu Putt mini-golf fundraiser scheduled for Saturday (registration $50, includes a round and pizza), a second annual event that previously suffered a rainout. He said the group plans a February dinner-style fundraiser modeled after “100 Women for a Cause” and is seeking a fourth event to reach its goal of four annual fundraisers. Volunteers can sign up via QR codes Hack provided and the foundation’s website, bemidjieducationfoundation.org.
Board members thanked Hack and several board members who serve on the foundation spoke about the gratification of reviewing grant applications. Hack said the foundation wants to grow its endowment so it can make larger annual distributions; currently it spends from an endowment so grants can continue even if fundraising fluctuates.
The foundation asked for community help with a lightweight “logging crew” volunteer list — people who will receive occasional emails to assist with event setup or takedown — and invited board members and the public to its upcoming events to see projects funded by educator applications.
The foundation’s presentation concluded with a reminder to register for Edu Putt and to visit the foundation website for more information.
