By Lori EhdeUnder the threat of fewer state dollars to fund education, the Luverne School Foundation made the timely announcement Tuesday that it’s officially ready to receive donations.With the Southwest Minnesota Foundation serving as the umbrella organization, the Luverne School Foundation is able to accept tax-deductible donations exclusively for the benefit of the district.It will not serve the same purpose as Dollars for Scholars, rather the board views it as a potential "sister" foundation to Dollars for Scholars.Superintendent Vince Schaefer said this is a point of clarification that may need repeating. "It’s not a scholarship committee, and it in no way competes with Dollars For Scholars," he said."It’s important that the public recognize that if they want to give scholarships, they give to Dollars For Scholars, if they want to donate to the school, they give to the School Foundation."The Foundation will be set up to accept two types of donations: designated and undesignated funds.Schaefer said some donors may have specific areas they intend for their money to benefit, such as technology or repairing theater seats, for example.Others may give undesignated funds to help whatever areas the Foundation Committee identifies as needy.The Foundation will provide the opportunity to set up endowments, which would use only money generated from interest, or it may accept funds as grants to be used outright. "At least now we have a vehicle in place to receive donations," Schaefer said."There have been times members of the public have wanted to make donations, but it’s been virtually impossible to accept them."Luverne School Board members approved the creation of the Foundation last winter, and a committee has been working since then to iron out details.Serving on the committee are School Board members Becky Walgrave, Bill Stegemann and Don Bryan, Schaefer, District Finance Officer Marlene Mann, Student Council member Tyler Elbers, community members Glenn Burmeister, Harold Tilstra and James Ouverson, teacher Shirley Harrison and paraprofessional Vicki Baartman.The group met Monday night with a representative of the Southwest Minnesota Foundation to finalize documents.Schaefer said funneling money through the Southwest Minnesota Foundation prevented the district from reinventing the wheel, as far as becoming a legal non-profit organization to receive funds.All gifts to the foundation are tax deductible.Inquiries for donating to the Luverne School Foundation can be directed to the District Office at 283-8088.
