761 Foundation

The 761 Foundation held its second "Price is Right" fundraiser event on Saturday, September 16 at Owatonna High School. 

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Click here to read the article in the Owatonna People's Press

To thank the Owatonna High School music department for the outstanding opportunities given to her daughters, and to celebrate the new high school, Judy Meister contributed $50,000 to the 761 Foundation to set up a fund for instrument purchase and repair, lessons, camps, and other needs. 

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Though she gave the funds to the ISD 761 Foundation for the OHS music department two years ago, Judy was reluctant to make her gift public—she didn’t want to be seen as bragging.  “But then I thought if I made my donation known, maybe it would inspire others to give as well.  We are very fortunate to have hometown corporate entities like the Wenger Foundation, Federated Insurance, Viracon, and others who have given sizable amounts to the new high school, but my donation shows that gifts from individuals can be important too.  I am thankful for the opportunities given to my kids, and I am happy to make this gift to the OHS music department for future needs,” Judy said.

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Click here to read the full article

On the evening of Sept. 18, OHS had its very own The Price is Right game inspired by the popular TV show. This event brought in plenty of contestants, and the money raised went back to the 761 Foundation. The collection of funds will help with scholarships and education enhancement. Read the full story in the OHS Magnet (student newspaper).

Thanks to a mini-grant from the 761 Foundation, Lincoln Elementary was able to purchase materials needed to create activity boxes called “Self-time Kits” that help students when they need to take a break, breathe, and calm down so they can continue their day. To learn more about how teachers and students are using the kits, see Bridget Kranz’s story in the Owatonna People’s Press.

OWATONNA — The 761 Foundation Board recently re-elected Bruce Paulson as chair of the philanthropic organization for the coming year. Also re-elected were: Jan Mittelstadt Tippett, vice chair; Greg Stroik, treasurer; and Mary Larson, secretary. For the complete story, see the Owatonna People’s Press.

Columnist Todd Hale discusses the history of the 761 Foundation and the role the non-profit organization plays in funding programs within the Owatonna School District and the scholarships it awards to graduating seniors who excelled during their high school years and now need financial assistance with their post-secondary education. Read Todd Hale’s full column in the Owatonna People’s Press.

OWATONNA - A 2016 graduate of Owatonna High School, Lucas Arndt was recently elected to serve a 3-year term on the 761 Foundation Board of Directors.

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OWATONNA — The 761 Foundation Board recently re-elected Bruce Paulson as chair of the philanthropic organization for the coming year. Also re-elected were: Jan Mittelstadt Tippett, vice chair; Greg Stroik, treasurer; and Mary Larson, secretary. For the complete story, see the Owatonna People’s Press.

OWATONNA — The 761 Foundation recently awarded about $110,000 through its mini-grants program for use during the 2019-2020 academic school year. The awards will fund — partially or fully — 53 of 71 mini-grant requests received from teachers and principals in Blooming Prairie, Medford, New Richland and Owatonna public schools. Owatonna People’s Press

Students at the Owatonna Alternative Learning Center have been putting a new washer and dryer funded through a 761 Foundation mini-grant to good use. The school sought the funds, after noticing that lack of access to hygiene was one factor contributing to student absences. For the full story, read Bridget Kranz’s story in the Owatonna People’s Press.

Twenty-five years of giving is reason to celebrate — not just for the 761 Foundation, but the entire community. And as 761 Foundation Chair Bruce Paulson noted in a recent opinion piece, that’s just what the 761 Foundation did. Read what Paulson wrote in the Owatonna People’s Press.

Annie Granlund was on-hand to cover the 761 Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration. In 1994, thanks to the gift of Robert Chladek’s estate, the foundation awarded its first grants, totaling $16,000 to the OHS Ag Education department. For more on the celebration, read Granlund’s story from the Owatonna People’s Press.

OWATONNA — The Class of 1968 (Owatonna High School and Marian High School) has established a scholarship fund with the Owatonna Public Schools 761 Foundation. Read more about the scholarship in the Owatonna People’s Press. You can learn more about all of the scholarships awarded by the 761 Foundation each spring here.

The STEAM (science, technology, education, art, and math) education of teachers in the Owatonna School District received a significant funding boost courtesy of Eldon Steuernagel, his family, and the 761 Foundation. Read Ryan Anderson’s story in the People’s Press about Mr. Steuernagel’s gift and the difference it will make.

As the 2018-2019 school year came to a close, students at Owatonna Middle School spent portions of their last days busily readying an outdoor classroom for next year. Students planted more than 1,000 plants, thanks in part to a mini-grant funded by the 761 Foundation. For more about the project, read Ryan Anderson’s story in the Owatonna People’s Press.

Owatonna People’s Press reporter Ryan Anderson examines how 2018-2019 mini-grants have been utilized in Owatonna schools, and their impact on students, ranging from early childhood to high school. See the full story.

Bruce Paulson, chairman of the 761 Foundation, recently briefed the Rotary Club of Owatonna on the past, present, and future of the Foundation. Since its inception in 1992, the 761 Foundation has awarded mini-grants in excess of $2 million. To read more about Paulson’s presentation, see Ryan Anderson’s story in the Owatonna People’s Press.