LEFSA

Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association (LEFSA)

Mission Statement

The goal of LEFSA is to provide an ongoing source of additional non-taxpayer discretionary funds to Lancaster Public School District 356 via an endowment which is intended to be perpetual in nature.

2024 LEFSA Newsletter

Press Releases

Lancaster Community Forms Non-Profit named LEFSA

It’s official. The Lancaster community has a new nonprofit. Recently, the founders of the newly formed Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association, LEFSA for short, received word from the IRS their application for designation as a publicly supported charity was approved. President Nicole Thompson remarked “We are extremely excited to have received this approval from the IRS and even more optimistic about the role this new organization will play in support of Lancaster School.” “We have already held several organizational meetings to define our mission and goals and hope to hit the ground running with our first membership drive scheduled for February of next year.” For those individuals interested in making charitable donations to coincide with year-end for tax purposes, getting the blessing from the IRS is a great opportunity for them to take advantage of this IRS designation.

The new nonprofit’s goal is to provide additional financial support for Lancaster School by raising money and establishing an endowment fund, which the founders see as perpetual in nature. If you would like more information about LEFSA, its mission, board or committees, inquiries can be forwarded to the secretary of the organization at mcoffield@lancaster.k12.mn.us401 Central Avenue South, Lancaster, MN 56735, or via telephone at (218) 762- 5400. You can also find information on their website or on their LEFSA Lancaster School Endowment Fund Association Facebook page.

class of 1998 grad lifetime member!

Lifetime Memberships Continue

The Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association received yet another lifetime membership recently. This one was from Class of 1998 alumnus Kris Hokanson and his wife Chrissy. Board member Julie Peterson said “we continue to be amazed at the generosity of alumni and the community as demonstrated by their financial contributions. We sincerely appreciate all donations.”

After completing his education at Lancaster School, Kris has continued to take what he learned and has applied it each day to both his personal and professional life. With a wife and 5 kids, “life can be hectic, but also very rewarding.” Like so many others, he said he “wanted to give back to the school and community that gave him so much.”

First QCD RECEIVED!

LEFSA Receives $100,000 Donation

The Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association recently received a contribution which had the effect of more than doubling the organization’s assets. It came in the form of a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) from class of 1971 alumnus Fred Wilebski. Vice President C. J. Peterson said “This donation was a real shot in the arm for LEFSA coming less than a year after we organized. Given its size, we are incredibly moved by the impact we anticipate it will have. It really shows how much support we have been receiving from the community and those interested in the future of our school.”

When asked about the donation Fred said “I’ve been watching very closely from the sidelines as this group organized and thought what a great idea and wondered how I could support their mission. From what I’ve seen they have assembled a very top-notch team of board and committee members. The fact that IRS rules allow me to make this donation without any tax consequences from my IRA was also a nice bonus. I hope others will consider doing the same.”

MORE LEFSA Lifetime Memberships!

More Lifetime Memberships for LEFSA

The Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association was fortunate to receive yet another lifetime membership in the organization. The donation was from alumnus Marlin Peterson, class of 1960, and his wife, Becky.

Board member Lacey Lupien said that “Contributions like the one that Marlin made are the lifeblood of our organization and will go a long way toward building the endowment fund for the future benefit of Lancaster School. I and the rest of the board and committees are overjoyed by this show of generosity”

Marlin, like many other donors, said that “It’s just a way to give back to the community that means a lot to me and my family. I’m hopeful that LEFSA is successful in achieving their goals of endowing the future of The School.”

LEFSA Adds Another Lifetime Member

The Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association received yet another lifetime membership recently. This donation was from Class of 1953 alumna Lois Nordin Boroski. Board member Justin Peterson said “we continue to be amazed and gratified by the response of the community in seeking to build an endowment fund to secure the future of Lancaster School. These lifetime memberships really go a long way toward achieving that goal.”

When asked about her donation, Lois stated “I and my late husband Frank have always held a special place in our hearts for Lancaster. So my contribution is just one way of recognizing that and of course giving back to the community.”

LEFSA Lifetime Membership

The number of lifetime memberships in the Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association continues to increase. The latest donation of this magnitude was received from class of 1966 alumna Judy Nordin Remer.

Board member Shannon Bowlin stated that she couldn’t get over the generosity of the community as exhibited by contributions like this. “It is gratifying to see this kind of monetary support for our infant organization. We are truly overwhelmed and appreciate every donation.”

Judy commented that she and her husband Danny are always looking for ways to keep the Lancaster community going strong. And, by creating an endowment for the benefit of The School, this appears to be a great way to do just that. “We also have a lot of confidence in the group that organized it and the transparency that has been exhibited. We’d encourage others who have an interest in our community to do the same.”

LEFSA Receives First Legacy Society Donation:

THANK YOU TO PODCO!

LEFSA Receives First Legacy Society Donation

The Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association (LEFSA) recently received an extremely generous cash contribution from PoDCO, a successful locally owned and operated business. Sarah Schmalz, LEFSA’s Treasurer stated “There are times when the actions and generosity of others leave a person speechless. PoDCo’s significant donation toward building our Endowment Fund is one of those times. LEFSA is helping to ensure the long-term success of Lancaster School for both our youth and the community. The trust and support that individuals and companies have placed in our organization is inspiring. Together, we are working diligently to achieve our goals and exceed expectations.” With this contribution, PoDCO becomes our inaugural member of LEFSA's Legacy Society. We are sincerely grateful for your kindness and support.

PoDCO recognizes the importance of the Lancaster School and the goals of LEFSA in trying to maintain and grow the institution that is considered the heartbeat of the community. A spokesperson shared that the contribution is an attempt to show their support for these efforts and hopefully will encourage others of a like mind to donate also.

Pictured are PoDCO Owners: Ron Nordin, Randy Nordin, Arlen Nordin, Galen Nordin, Faye Potrament and Superintendent Nicole Thompson.

First Lifetime Members:

Ron & Layl Nordin

LEFSA Receives First Lifetime Membership Donation

The Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association was excited to receive their first lifetime membership recently. The donation was from Class of 1963 graduate Ron Nordin, a well-known and admired community member and very successful entrepreneur. “We were very pleasantly surprised by Ron’s generous gift that will go toward building our endowment fund. And we are also very appreciative of his early show of support for our efforts as evidenced by this contribution.” commented LEFSA’s Secretary Mendy Coffield.

Regarding Ron’s charitable giving, he stated that “COLEG caught my attention as a great opportunity to help with scholarships for the graduates of LHS. After setting up a scholarship fund, I see LEFSA as a great opportunity to help the school stay and grow without adding taxes. My hat’s off to the founding and forward-looking members of these 2 groups.”

LEFSA Receives First Memorial & Significant Donation!

Although the new non-profit, Lancaster Endowment Fund School Association, is only a few months old, it has already received several donations. The very first was a contribution made by Dick and Cathy Bailey of Mound, MN in memory of Gary Burton, a very well-known and admired resident of Lancaster who recently passed. The second was a significant donation from Tom and Brenda Wilebski from Apple Valley, Minnesota.

President Nicole Thompson stated “These cash contributions have really given a jump start to our infant organization’s plans and longer-term goals. Even though our initial membership campaign has not begun, seeing the community and those who have not even grown up here show this type of financial support is gratifying. We are extremely grateful.”

Tom and Brenda have recently retired but during their working careers, they owned and operated a very successful construction company. Tom’s connection to Lancaster is through his father Thomas who grew up in Richardville and St. Joseph townships along with his other 11 Wilebski siblings. Tom said, “It’s just a great feeling to give a little back to communities that are determined to survive and provide for the education of their youth. Brenda and I plan to watch the progress of LEFSA in the coming years. Cute acronym by the way.”

First Major Contributors:

Tom & Brenda Wilebski

First Annual Meeting of LEFSA Membership Held

The first annual meeting of the membership was held on April 25th at the Lancaster Community Center. As reported by our secretary, our infant organization accomplished a lot in these first few months since incorporation. “Membership numbers, which included 3 lifetime memberships exceeded our most optimistic expectations” according to Mendy Coffield.

Likewise, our Treasurer said that significant contribution numbers in the first quarter of 2024 have resulted in assets of LEFSA now exceeding $80,000. Additionally, the Investment Committee reported they established a brokerage account in mid-April and have already made income-producing investments on behalf of the organization.

President Nicole Thompson stated that she was “elated by the response from the community that has been received in this inaugural year.” In addition, she said she was extremely optimistic about fulfilling the goals of this new non-profit organization. “LEFSA truly is an opportunity to endow the future of Lancaster School”.

If you would like more information about LEFSA, its mission, board or committees, inquiries can be forwarded to the secretary of the organization at mcoffield@lancaster.k12.mn.us or via telephone at (218) 762-5400. You can also find information on their Facebook page lefsa Lancaster endowment fund school association.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nicole Thompson, President

CJ Peterson, Vice President

Mendy Coffield, Secretary

Sarah Schmalz, Treasurer

Shannon Bowlin, Director

Lacey Lupien, Director

Julie Peterson, Director

Justin Peterson, Director

Jesse Strege, Director

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Chelsi Langehaug