Mission Statement
Our mission is to secure, manage, and distribute resources for the purpose of enriching the educational experience for all Lansing Public School District students and staff through support and curriculum enhancement. To accomplish this mission we will engage families, alumni, faculty, and administrators of the district, along with members of the greater Lansing community, to achieve measurable outcomes.
The goal of LEAF is to ensure that our youth have the tools and experiences that they need in order to learn. LEAF will link community resources to the needs of our youth by identifying and strengthening partnerships and by finding ways to engage the community.
The goal of LEAF is to ensure that our youth have the tools and experiences that they need in order to learn. LEAF will link community resources to the needs of our youth by identifying and strengthening partnerships and by finding ways to engage the community.
History of the Organization
The Lansing Educational Advancement Foundation was established in October of 1984 as an autonomous non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. LEAF was designed to secure, manage, and distribute resources for the purpose of enriching the educational experience for all Lansing students through program support and curriculum enhancement.
LEAF is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees representative of the Lansing community. This governing board establishes the mission, guides the strategy, assesses LEAF's effectiveness, and fosters the ethical conduct of the foundation. Our Board of Trustees and our liaison CPA exercise active fiscal oversight. With our current level of assets we are required to have an external audit annually. During the past 31 years LEAF has provided support for every facet of the educational process from academic scholarships and opportunity grants to Solar Energy Panels for the Ebersole Environmental Center.
LEAF is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees representative of the Lansing community. This governing board establishes the mission, guides the strategy, assesses LEAF's effectiveness, and fosters the ethical conduct of the foundation. Our Board of Trustees and our liaison CPA exercise active fiscal oversight. With our current level of assets we are required to have an external audit annually. During the past 31 years LEAF has provided support for every facet of the educational process from academic scholarships and opportunity grants to Solar Energy Panels for the Ebersole Environmental Center.
What Projects has the Foundation Funded?
More than $300,000 has been directed to support educator minigrants for innovative projects. Classroom minigrants range from American Sign Language to vermicomposting luncheon wastes to the Holocaust Library and every subject in between, bringing new life to the curriculum and sparking the creative interest of students and staff. LEAF has consistently supported student summer camp scholarships, projects, and a new land purchase at the district's Ebersole Environmental Center. To check out the most recent minigrant awards see Minigrants Recipients.
In partnership with the City of Lansing during Project PLAY, we refurbished school playgrounds with new, safe equipment. LEAF administers scholarships to students and educators through our many endowed fellowship and scholarship funds listed under our scholarship and fellowship pages.
In partnership with the City of Lansing during Project PLAY, we refurbished school playgrounds with new, safe equipment. LEAF administers scholarships to students and educators through our many endowed fellowship and scholarship funds listed under our scholarship and fellowship pages.
LEAF Support the Lansing Pathway Promise
LEAF will encourage the investment of the community in college and career readiness activities for K-12 students.
How Does the Foundation Secure Dollars?
The Lansing Educational Advancement Foundation depends on the generosity and support of the community. Any donations which may be given are federally tax deductible. Donations are received in the form of cash, checks, pledges and payroll deduction. Deferred gifts include bequests, endowments, and trusts. In addition, contributions are also received in tribute or in memory of a loved one. LEAF is also a participant during the Capital Area United Way fund drive and maintains a payroll deduction campaign with employees of the Lansing School District. In addition, money is raised through special events such as the Art Auction, Toasting LEAF Successes, and the LEAF Annual Appeal.