Generosity that strengthens education and community
Last month, the Litchfield Public School Foundation received the most significant gift in its history, $100,000 from an anonymous donor. Generosity like this reflects a deep belief in the value of education and the opportunities it creates for future generations.
That belief is shared by many in the community, including Alex Carlson. A former Litchfield Dragon himself, Alex’s three children are currently enrolled in Litchfield Public Schools, and he serves on the Litchfield Public School Foundation’s board.
“Litchfield is home, and I have a deep, deep desire to serve our community and our kids. My wife and I were in education over 20 years ago, and we were positively impacted by the school foundation in the school district we worked. When we moved back to Litchfield, we were motivated to join the Litchfield Public School Foundation and bring energy to it,” Alex said.
He noted that foundation’s growth over the last 13 years has been driven by committed board members and a strong base of consistent donors who believe in supporting staff and students beyond what traditional school funding allows. Today, that commitment has resulted in an endowment exceeding $250,000.
Building long-term impact through the Litchfield Public School Foundation Endowment
The Litchfield Public School Foundation (LPSF) includes both an endowed and a non-endowed fund, held at Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF). These funds are some of the more than 100 designated funds at SWIF created to support causes people care about.
“School foundations play an important role by connecting community support with meaningful needs and opportunities that go beyond what school budgets alone can provide. Donations help ensure students, teachers, and programs have the resources they need to thrive for years to come,” said Jeff Vetsch, SWIF Community Gift Officer.
How the foundation supports students and educators
The Litchfield Public School District serves 1,566 students from preschool through grade 12. Since 2013, the foundation has awarded grants to 141 projects totaling more than $181,000, positively impacting students across the district.
The LPSF board uses the motto “Fund Innovation. Spark Imagination. Ignite Learning.” to guide its work and communicate its goals. The board partners closely with district staff and administration to ensure grants support strong programming and enhance student learning.
Over the past decade, LPSF grants have made a positive impact across the district—from preschool through high school. Funding has supported a wide range of areas, including special education, music, art, reading, math, health and physical education, theater, robotics, technology, science, ALP, field trips, and classroom presentations.
Grants from the Litchfield Public School Foundation
Recent grant examples include funding for the Middle School Dragon Store and the high school choir program. The Dragon Store is run by Litchfield Middle School special education teachers and students, providing opportunities to build organizational skills, personal management skills, work ethic, responsibility, and social skills.
The high school choir program received funds to improve technology and sound systems. Students present three “POPS” concerts annually and had been relying on subwoofers that were donated in 1999. New speakers and an iPad, now used as the system’s sound board, have enhanced both performances and learning experiences for students in the vocal music program.
See a full list of grant-funded projects on the LPSF website.
Sustaining the future of the Litchfield Public School Foundation
While annual grants continue to make a direct impact, the foundation’s board also remains focused on long-term sustainability. Major gifts like the recent anonymous donation strengthen the foundation’s ability to respond to both immediate needs and future opportunities.
“I’m motivated by the impact this foundation has had and by the decades of impact it can and will have. That’s the power of an endowment, it’s generational,” Alex said. “That’s really an honor to watch and be a part of.”
Making the difference of a lifetime
This gift is part of a broader conversation happening across Minnesota: how we care for the places and people that shaped us. As our region experiences one of the largest transfers of wealth in history, more people are asking how their resources can reflect their values not just during their lifetime, but beyond it.
How could your generosity make the difference of a lifetime?