ANNUAL REPORT

December 2015

Dear friends, community members and alumni: Thank you for your continued support of the Panther Foundation. Your gifts help Spring Lake Park Schools’ students, faculty, and programs succeed. We could not do it without you. For fourteen years, generous donors have helped us champion exemplary student experiences and innovation in the classroom at Spring Lake Park Schools. We have recently invested in new and innovative classroom spaces, in-classroom equipment and supported families in need. During our 2015 fiscal year, foundation assets climbed to almost $538,000. Since the foundation opened its doors in 2001, parents, alumni, staff and friends of Spring Lake Park Schools have made it possible to award more than $800,000 in grants. Thank you! Our organization is a significant contributing partner of the Spring Lake Park Schools, enriching experiences that lead to student success. Only with your help can we continue to serve this role for all students in the community. We invite you to read this year’s report, which includes examples of the investment we supported during the year and summaries of our great events. Your support means the world to our students and to Spring Lake Park Schools. We, and they, are forever grateful. Sincerely,

Bill Koschak Chairman, Panther Foundation

Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent, Spring Lake Park Schools

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Panther Foundation 2014-15 Financial Picture Income Statement

Revenue Gala $136,103 Golf Fundraiser 27,065 Annual Sponsorships 15,500 Donations 14,210 Family Carnival & 5K 10,451 Interest 9,777 Investment Gains 5,111 Total Revenue 218,217 Expenses Grants 51,675 Endowment Contributions 20,000 Gala 26,318 Golf Fundraiser 23,753 Family Carnival & 5K 7,544 General Operating, Administrative 13,259 Total Expenses 142,549 Net Income $75,668

Balance Sheet

Assets Operating Cash $134,558 Money Market Savings 41,109 Angel Fund 36,349 Investment Savings 213,792 Endowment 111,346 Total Assets 537,155 Liabilities Grants Payable 77,200 Other 25 Total Liabilities 77,225 Net Assets $459,930

Our Largest Grant Awarded: INNOVATION SPACES

We donated nearly $44,000 toward SLP Schools’ project of Inspiring Learners through Innovative Spaces. In the spring of 2015, teams of teachers, staff and students worked together to reimagine how existing learning spaces in our schools could be redesigned to better serve students and staff. Teams from each school redesigned particular spaces with the goal of having designs that could be implemented, at least in part, for the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. Each team redesigned learning spaces in real time and identified visual prototypes of the spaces that were: • Feasible for implementation in fall 2015 (low cost and able to be implemented effectively) • Viable in that the redesigns will be sustained in the future and effectively position the district to adapt to changing needs • Desirable in that the redesigns create flexible learning spaces that will capitalize on, and encourage, the creativity of staff to meet varying student learning needs and interests At this writing, most of the work on the redesigned spaces has been completed and the spaces are being used by students and teachers.

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Other Grants Ready, Set, Read $2,000

Through home visiting programs and Early Childhood Family Education classes, families are provided with the opportunity to receive books and work on making reading a meaningful and purposeful activity with their children. The Panther Foundation has established this annual program to provide books for this program and build libraries in the homes of our most at-risk young children.

Racking our Brains! $1,770

Arithmetic Racks help bring math alive and are used with students who are struggling in math. Money awarded purchased 100 Arithmetic Racks.

Northpoint Elementary Buddy Benches $2,200

Buddy Benches provide students struggling during recess with a place to gather on the playground to meet new friends. The Panther Foundation provided funds for a buddy bench to be installed at each of the four elementary schools.

MusicWorks $13,000

The Panther Foundation provided funding for a spring songwriting program for middle school students. During this program students were able to write their own songs from start to finish and completed the course with a fully produced recording.

Tennis Youth Camp $3,522

With the goals of enhancing the Summer Youth Tennis Program and reaching more students, the Panther Foundation supported the purchase of equipment including youth sized racquets, a ball machine and a variety of other pieces.

Summer School Field Trip $1,690

Funding provided a field trip for Woodcrest Spanish Immersion summer school students to experience the Space exhibit at the Science Museum.

Early Childhood Playground $2,550

Funding for this project allowed for the purchase of play equipment for the Early Childhood Family Center playground.

Senior All Night Party $3,000

Annual support for the Senior All Night Party helps to ensure that the senior party is successful and also reduces any financial barriers that may limit student access and participation.

Angel Fund Update $7,000

The Angel Fund was created at the 2014 Gala though a very successful Fund-A-Need project. The resources are available to assist families in emergency or crisis with basic needs. More than $7,000 was spent during the 2014-15 school year to assist Families in Crisis. Funds assisted with emergency shelter, winter weather gear, clothing, fuel and groceries. Our district nurse’s offices were also supplied with basic supplies that go above and beyond typical district supply orders such as lice kits, hygiene products, undergarments, socks and shoes for students.

Golf Grant $16,000

2015 Golf Grant awarded $16,000 to the athletics and activities department. Funds were used to purchase equipment for middle school athletics, Fine Arts Center improvements and supplies for the high school wrestling and Science Olympiad teams.

GRANT COMPLETION UPDATE HS Music Commission Grant $2,600

Students premiered “Foundations” on Monday, January 26, 2015, at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center with special guest conductor Carl Holmquist, composer of the piece. The composition project and artist in residence was a grant requested by the SLPHS band department.

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11th Annual “Hear the Roar” Gala raises over $136,000 for our kids The 11th Annual “Hear the Roar” Gala was held on Saturday, February 28th at the Bunker Hills Event Center. Over 280 participants and volunteers attended this wonderful community event for a great cause. The evening was led by emcee Jason DeRusha of WCCO- TV and featured a silent auction, a competitive live auction, and a Fund-A- Dream as well as dinner and dancing.

that the Board of Directors leave energized to carry out the mission of empowering and supporting world class learning in Spring Lake Park Schools for our 5,600 students,” said Colleen Pederson, Panther Foundation Executive Director.

Each year the Foundation Board and the school district partner in identifying a Fund-A-Dream project intended to make a larger Thanks to the participants and impact on the lives of our students. community sponsors, the evening Past Fund-A-Dream projects have raised over $136,000 for the included: iPads, Smartboards for Spring Lake Park Schools. “The every classroom, funding after school commitment of our community is activity buses and weekend food absolutely incredible. The participants packs for kids in need. bring so much energy to the night,

This year’s Fund-A-Dream was to create “Innovative Spaces” to inspire and re-think learning environments. As the district continues to innovate how teachers and students learn and interact, they are also re-imagining the traditional classroom space. The 2015 Fund-A-Dream along with the Panther Foundation contribution raised nearly $44,000 to kick off this exciting project in re-imaging our schools as the schools of the future.

Save the Date

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Saturday February 27, 2016, 4 p.m., Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens

3rd Annual Golf Fundraiser “Hits the Green”

The 3rd Annual Golf Fundraiser occurred on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids. The weather was perfect for golf and raising money for the SLP Schools’ Athletics & Activities programs. With great community support we raised over $16,000, and had at least one golfer narrowly miss a great hole in one prize. Our day started with lunch and registration and closed with a fabulous prize drawing to cap it. Thanks to all our participants including 132 golfers of all skill levels, our army of volunteers and the staff at Bunker Hills. We’d also like to extend a very special “Thank You” to all of our event, contest, and hole sponsors. We had over forty sponsors support the event! This year the Athletics & Activities department earmarked the money we raised to pay for Fine Arts Center improvements and equipment for middle school volleyball, high school wrestling and Science Olympiad. Each of those programs received something special as a result of this amazing Panther Foundation event– so again, thank you!

Save the Date Monday, June 27, 2016 The Refuge Golf Club Join us for the 4th Annual Golf Fundraiser. Your support makes all the difference for the kids! Opportunities are available to golf, volunteer, or sponsor games, holes or the event itself. Let us know if you’d like to help!

Family Fun at this year’s Carnival & 5K/2K

The 5th annual Family Carnival & 5K/2K was held on Saturday, September 19 at the SLP High School Panther Stadium. This year we focused on growing the carnival aspect of this great community event with an increased number of games and activities for kids of all ages. The event saw the highest attendance in history, with nearly 700 people taking part in the morning activities. In addition, we partnered with other school district organizations to bring an increase in volunteer support from high school students and elementary parent groups. “Everything about this year’s event brings a smile to my face,” said Panther Foundation Executive Director Colleen Pederson. “Great attendance, great weather, and great support from our volunteers and sponsors made this day so special.” Contributions from the presenting sponsor, Allina Health, made it possible for any family to participate, regardless of income. In addition, support from The Panther Foundation Annual Sponsors of Marsh & McLennan Agency, Hoffman Weber Construction, Meyer Contracting and Chris & Niomi Hasling helped to make this event successful for our community. The purpose of this event is to bring families together and have them engage with the district and each other in a positive and exciting way. “Each year, the carnival brings our community together for a morning of healthy, family fun,” Pederson said. “This event is a true partnership between Spring Lake Park Schools Community Education and the Panther Foundation.”

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Fiscal 2015 Sponsors and Donors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANNUAL SPONSORS Chris & Niomi Hasling Hoffman Weber Construction Marsh & McLennan Agency Meyer Contracting

LEGACY DONORS

The following donors gave $1,000 or more in gifts in the 2015 fiscal year. Class of 2001

Joel & Jolene LeVahn

Mike & Alison Callahan

Toni Mortensen

Marilynn Forsberg

Kevin & Tonya Rowe

Jim & Barb Hasling

Bill Koschak, Chairperson Jonelle Meyer, Vice-Chairperson Eric Edlund, Treasurer Tom Gallagher, Secretary Dr. Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent Colleen Pederson, Executive Director Jim Amundson Denise Fowler Kim Fehringer Caitlin Jacobsen Tonya Rowe Marla Sciara Pam Smith-Owens Mary Strohmayer Kieu Stueve Andrew Tortora

MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS

The following sponsors gave $500 or more in gifts in the 2015 fiscal year. All American Title

Kris Lindahl Team - RE/MAX Results

Allina Health

Lorenz Bus Service

Ameriprise - Young & Associates

Mark Fierst Photography

Arden Dental Associates

Natural Green Landscape Management

Bell Mortgage - Adam Roloff

North Memorial Healthcare

Best Vendors Management

Office Environment Brokers

Cedar Creek Energy

State Farm Insurance - Tyler Engquist

Emmanuel Christian Center

Tom & Kieu Stueve

Friendly Chevrolet

Today’s Window Fashions - Jeff & Pam Wellen

Imagine Smiles! - Dr. Doug Green

UBS - Anderson Edlund Wealth Management

K12 Transportation Management Services

Walters Recycling & Refuse

Kraus Anderson Construction Company

Westwood Schools