Supporting students. Enriching our community.
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation provides opportunities for all students to excel by funding educational opportunities, special projects and engaging ideas that go beyond the district’s operating budget. The foundation enriches the communities of Sauk Rapids and Rice by uniting the generosity of those who care deeply about enhancing education with the students, staff and the Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools.
Learn more about the foundation!
- Goals and Priorities
- Board Members
- Giving Options
- Grants and Highlights
- Our Funds
- Stars of the Storm
- Create unforgettable classroom experiences.
- Unite the community and our schools.
- Provide an opportunity for children who need one.
- Provide Classroom Grants: From early childhood through grade 12, we fund grants that enhance learning opportunities for Sauk Rapids-Rice students.
- Strengthen Connections: Improve education by building stronger connections with parents, alumni, and local businesses.
- Remove Financial Barriers: Offer participation scholarships and reduced fees for educational activities to children from families in financial need.
- Increase Community Awareness: Raise awareness of the foundation’s efforts throughout the community.
- Foster Community-School Connections: Strengthen the relationship between the school district and the community.
- Expand Funding Opportunities: Secure additional funding for programs that enhance education.
- Encourage Community Involvement: Promote participation and commitment to our annual Stars of the Storm fundraising event.
Created in 1986, the Initiative Foundation is Powering Possible to help central Minnesota people build and sustain thriving communities.
The foundation serves the 14 counties of central Minnesota, providing nonprofit grants, business loans, leadership training, and an array of donor services. They believe that local people have the greatest sum of initiative, knowledge and relationships to achieve a brighter future. In partnership with the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation, the Initiative Foundation oversees and manages the financial contributions of the fund.
The Initiative Foundation also provides staff support to the advisory board and ensures compliance with legal and professional standards. These services allow volunteer leaders to focus on meeting community needs and enhancing the local quality of life.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students in ISD 47?
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation invites dedicated individuals like you to join our board of directors. Our foundation is a volunteer-led organization comprised of community members, school staff, parents/guardians, and business owners who are committed to enhancing the educational experience for students in our district. We believe that every student deserves access to the best opportunities and resources to succeed.
If you are ready to make a lasting impact on the education of students in ISD 47, we invite you to join our board. Together, we can empower students to reach their full potential and create a brighter future.
Josh Vraa, Board Chair
Hailey Gruenke, Board Vice-Chair
Media H Management
Bryce Johnson, Past Board Chair
Parts Manager, RDO Equipment
Meredith Anagnos, Treasurer
Realtor, Premier Real Estate
Lucille Guthchewsky Bauer
Phil Rogholt, Grants
Initiative Foundation Liaison
Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District 47
Tracy L. Morse*
School Board Representative
Director of Community Education, Sauk-Rapids Rice Community Foundation
Are you interested in serving on the board or volunteering on a committee? Please call 320-258-1577 for more information.
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation has established a proven track record as an effective vehicle through which the public can channel contributions and support to the schools in ISD 47. With the budget challenges currently facing public education, the need for community support has never been greater. We urge you all to join your neighbors, friends and associates in support of our kids and help ensure the maintenance of a world-class education for students in ISD 47.
If you share our commitment to creating a brighter future for our children and grandchildren, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation.
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundations’ Corporate Partner Program is designed to showcase the incredible support of our community’s businesses.
Your donation to the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Fund will help support academic achievement and activities in ISD 47 schools for years to come and we are so grateful for your support.
For convenience, the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation provides a secure, online donation option to make a one time or automatic monthly contributions to the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Fund.
Through our partnership with the Initiative Foundation, we are also able to accept gifts of cash, stock, real estate and a variety of other assets that maximize tax advantage for donors. Also, please consider us in your will or estate plan.
Thank you for all your support, our students are excited about new opportunities to learn and engage.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your Initiative Foundation/Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. In partnership with the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation, the Initiative Foundation owns and manages financial contributions for the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation.
Since its inception in 2012, the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation has supported the schools of ISD 47 with more than $134,253 in grants and classroom funding. Your support provides funding for education initiative and classroom programming including:
- Take Home Astronomy Kits
- Critical Thinking Programming for High Potential Learners
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Initiative
- Making Maple Syrup
- Garden Club Initiative
- Recreation Equipment
- Flexible Seating
- Junior Achievement BizTown
- Reading Right from the Start
- Brainpop Subscription
- High-Level Book Sets to Engage Readers
- Classroom Technology Grants
- Family and Consumer Science Nutrition Stations
- Adding Power to Photos and Videos
- Minnesota Author Day
- Read 180 Library Enhancement Project
Apply for a Grant
If you are a teacher in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District, you may apply for a classroom grant from the Education Foundation by logging into Staff Access.
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation maintains both an annual find and an endowment fund. The annual fund addresses the needs and opportunities of today. The endowment fund addresses the needs to tomorrow.
Endowments are charitable investment accounts in which the principal contributions are never spent. However, earnings in the accounts provide a flexible, dependable funding stream.
Both the annual fund and the endowment fund are equally important to the success and future of the education foundation and the ability to provide classroom grants, which is why we recommend a 50/50 split of contributions.
About Stars of the Storm
Stars of the Storm is an annual fundraising event for the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation featuring the talent of our very own students.
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation has supported the schools of ISD 47 with more than $134,253 in grants and classroom funding. Largely in part of this event.
The district’s 2023 Stars of the Storm event raised $12,000 from the talent show, silent auction and donations.
Our sponsors included:
Gold – BankVista, Bob & Nancy Johnson, Carey Groethe RBC Wealth, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Proviant Group
Silver – Infinite Eye Care
Stars of the Storm Partner – Granite City Roofing, Dvorak Cataract and Laser Eye Clinic, P.A., Tony Jarousek Agency, Crown Press, Lamar, Batteries Plus Bulbs
This funding goes a long way to support staff in the classrooms by providing a great experience for our students.
A huge “Thank You” to all that attended, volunteered, performed, and sponsored our event! Especially Brook Stephens, our fantastic emcee.