As officials with Northwest Suburban High School District 214 compile a list of major renovations they want to make to their six schools over the next 10 years, members of the district’s foundation have much more modest goals: to meet the immediate needs of students in order to ensure their success.
District 214 Board President Alva Kreutzer with Tom Munz, President of the District 214 Education Foundation
Think underwriting AP test fees, scholarships and costs to attend career prep programs, for starters.
Meeting those immediate needs for students was the driving force behind a successful fundraiser for the District 214 Education Foundation earlier this month. Approximately 200 business leaders, municipal officials and community activists gathered at TopGolf in Schaumburg to take their swings in hitting bays. The event was so successful, it raised more than $50,000 to help make a significant impact with students in need.
“This is our second year here,” said Foundation President Tom Munz of Mount Prospect. “We’re thrilled with the turnout, we drew 50 more people than last year.”
Included in the crowd were District 214 board members, like Board President Alva Kreutzer, who commended the foundation and its support of students.
“I love having their support,” Kreutzer said, “especially with the scholarships they provide and fees to take the AP tests.”
District 214’s Education Foundation has been around for more than 35 years. When it was formed in 1988, its mission was to support District 214 Community Education, but in recent years its focus has shifted.
“A primary focus for the foundation is providing support to the 30% of District 214 students who are from families with financial need,” Munz says.
He asked District 214 staff members to list some of the ways the foundation has helped students succeed. Most are little known to the wider community, he says.
- Facilitated fundraising over $2,000,000 for use in construction and/or equipment for manufacturing labs, culinary program, greenhouse, at Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Elgin Grove and Rolling Meadows high schools
- Annually award over 90 scholarships
- Covered hundreds of AP test and trades certification fees
- Provide thousands in support for students facing hardship
- Support career prep programs
- Back young entrepreneurs through the Startup Showcase
- Fund transportation and programing for STEM camps, Scholastic Bowls and African American Teen Summit
- Support WildStang Robotics Team
- Fund innovative classroom projects
- Frisk Fund will support district journalism, communications and broadcasting
- Provide students with job interview clothing in use with internships or and presentations at a variety of student and club program.
- The foundation also receives grants that pass through to district programs. Last year these grants totaled over $45,000.
- Received a one-time donation of 600 prom dresses that were made available to students.
- Previously sponsored day bus trips to first generation students and families to tour college campuses.
- Funded a portable library for an unincorporated low-income neighborhood.
While golfers who attended the fundraiser knew they were helping to support the foundation, the informal gathering went a long way in heightening awareness of the foundation and its impact on students and their families.
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