Donating to the PEF
Please make your checks to: KCF/PEF
and specify in the payee line or memo section whether your gift is intended for the General Endowment, or other endowed or non-endowed fund.
Please mail your checks to:
P.O. Box 2043, Portage, MI 49081

Scholarships (applications due April 25, 2008)

Board of Education Endowed Scholarship
Ken Draayer Memorial Scholarship
Sue Nelmes Scholarship (women, Central High only)

PEF Awards George L. Conti Grant

March 17, 2008: Central High School senior David Stutz is the recipient of the Portage Education Foundation grant from the George L. Conti Endowment Fund for Vocal Music.

David was awarded $270 to attend the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May, as an All-State Choir participant.

The Conti Fund was established in 2002 in memory of the former Portage Schools superintendent, who served in that capacity from 1970 to 1986. Retired PPS teacher Dr. Evelyn J. Iversen established the fund as a tribute to Dr. Conti’s love of music, and various members of the Conti family helped grow the endowment.

Dr. Iversen established the fund to support elementary, secondary, and adult education vocal music curriculums and vocal/choral non-theatre music events that are sponsored by or benefit PPS students. The fund supports choir performances, music purchases, travel expenses, summer camp choral programs, supplementary instructional materials such as software, books, workbooks, recordings, and choir robes and other apparel.

Donations to the George L. Conti Endowment Fund for Vocal Music may be made out to “KCF/PEF Conti Endowment” and sent to the Portage Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2043, Portage, MI 49081. The PEF is a component fund of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, which is why donations are made out to KCF/PEF.

Beam Family Elementary Reading Endowment
Awards Variety of Grants to Schools Since 2003

Feb. 4, 2008: A grant for $600 was awarded last month from the Beam Family Elementary Reading Endowment of the Portage Education Foundation. Four applying elementary schools received six grants: Angling Road, Central, Moorsbridge, and Woodland. The grants cover the costs of a variety of reading materials, including supplemental sets of classroom books and whisper phones.

This is the third set of grants from this endowment, established in 2003 by Judith and Robert Beam. Mrs. Beam retired last year after a distinguished career as a reading consultant for Portage Schools. In December, a $496 grant went to Amberly from the endowment and last June, a $581 grant was awarded to Haverhill, Moorsbridge, Angling Road, Central, Woodland, and Amberly.

Judi and Bob Beam initially established a non-endowed fund with the PEF in 2003 restricted for elementary reading support, but later that year the Beam Family provided additional funds to establish the current endowment fund. Before the fund transferred to endowed status, the PEF awarded $515 for elementary reading materials.

The materials purchased from the grant funds are in addition to the basic reading supplies purchased by the District. Grants for this endowment are initiated from the elementary classroom teachers and then recommended by the District’s Elementary Reading Consultants. Consideration is given to the individual needs of the classroom teacher helping all students meet the curriculum goals. Many times, supplemental materials are necessary to accelerate learning for the difficult-to-teach student. Finally, the grants are approved and awarded by the PEF Board of Trustees.

Donations to the Beam Family Elementary Reading Endowment should be made payable to: KCF/PEF Beam Reading Endowment.

New PEF Scholarship Honors Memory
of Northern Grad Robert Amrhein

Jan. 14, 2008: The Robert P. Amrhein Memorial Scholarship was established last month by Robert’s family through the Portage Education Foundation. The $4,000 scholarship honors the Portage Northern graduate of the Class of 2006 who passed away in 2007 after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

In addition to being a valued member of the Northern Debate Team, Robert competed in forensics, the swim team, was a member of the USS Great Lakes Aquatics Team, and was a member of the National Honor Society. He received several awards during his high school career including the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, the Portage Northern Principal’s Leadership Award, the Jimmy Holms Perseverance Award, and the Portage Northern Debate Departmental Award.

The scholarship is primarily merit-based, but financial need may be considered. Criteria include: being a Northern senior who has attended Northern for at least two years, plans to attend a two or four-year accredited college, university, or vocational/technical school, and demonstrates the following qualities: honesty, character, leadership, integrity, selflessness, acceptance of others, compassion, concern for others, and a general spirit of good will.

Applications will be available each year at the Northern Counseling Office and applications are due Feb. 1). Students may also be nominated by Northern faculty members. The recipient will be notified in mid-March.

Donations to the Robert Amrhein Memorial Scholarship may be made to KCF/PEF Non-Endowed Fund (in memo line please indicate: Robert Amrhein Memorial Scholarship).

Board of Trustees named for 2008

The Foundation's Board of Trustees, consisting of community members elected by the PEF Board, meets monthly. The officers for 2008 were elected at the Foundation's annual meeting on Dec. 11. Officers and Trustees include: Holly Schuck, president; Dorilee Schieble, vice president; and Jon Werme, treasurer; with trustees Julie Clancy, Nancy Chess, Shirley Johnson, (Board of Education liaison), Peter Livingston, Linda Lueth, and Fi Spalvieri.

The Board honored retiring trustees Jim Rikkers and Eric Lum. Mr. Rikkers, as superintendent, was involved with the establishment of the Foundation in 1990, and following his retirement as superintendent in 2002, served 6 years as a trustee of the Foundatino. Mr. Lum served 5 years as a trustee and was treasurer.

Background Information

The PEF, established in 1990, is a 501(c)3 non-profit and has awarded more than $300,000 in support of students, staff, and district initiatives throughout Portage Schools. The PEF has assisted hundreds of students and faculty with grants covering a variety of costs not typically covered by District or individual school budgets. The Foundation maintains the following funds:

Endowed Funds, consisting of a general endowment, and six restricted endowments: Education for Employment Scholarship, George L. Conti Endowment for Vocal Music, Northern High School Communications Endowment, the Glen Leadley DECA Endowment, Board of Education Endowed Scholarship, Dwight Hodgin Endowed Scholarship, and the Beam Family Endowment for Elementary Reading.

General Non-Endowed Funds

The PEF is a component fund of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and therefore allows a Michigan Income Tax credit for endowed donations.

For information about how to donate to the Foundation contact Foundation Executive Secretary Tom Vance at 323-5167 or write to the Foundation at 8111 S. Westnedge, Portage, Michigan, 49002.

2006 Summary (watch for the 2007 Summary coming soon)

• 21 grants totaling $14,219 to for school and faculty initiatives.
• 7 scholarships to graduating seniors.
• Received $62,781 in general endowed gifts.
• Received $30,699 in non-endowed gifts.
  
  2006 Annual Report

Documents

PPS Points of Pride
Campaign news release
Campaign Brochure
Pledge form
Examples of endowed grant options
2007 Technology Pilot Project
2007 Math Professional Development Project
Parent Donor Information
Business Donor Information
PPS staff payroll deduction
PEF Annual Report 2005

The PEF is a component fund of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, which makes it possible for endowed gifts to be eligible for the Michigan Tax Credit, in addition to the standard federal tax deduction.