An anonymous donor made a $100,000 gift to the Patriot Foundation in Pequot Lakes, an Initiative Foundation-hosted education fund providing local scholarships and innovation grants for the classroom.
"The Patriot Foundation board is humbled, honored and energized by the incredible generosity of this anonymous donor," said Chris Lindholm, superintendent for Pequot Lakes Public Schools, in a news release. "This gift will grow to more than $175,000 over the next 25 years, and during that time it will provide more than $100,000 in grants and scholarships."
The gift, which increases the size of the Patriot Foundation more than tenfold, means fund advisers can plan a strong year of giving in 2019. Lindholm said the anonymous gift will enable the Patriot Foundation to provide $7,500 in innovation grants to Pequot Lakes school staff in the coming year as well as five $1,000 scholarships for 2019 graduates.
"Any gift of any size can make a difference," said Carrie Tripp, vice president for external relations at the Initiative Foundation, in the release. "This gift in particular vaults the Patriot Foundation from an early stage fund to a hard-working, high-performing fund. It's a game-changer, and it shows just how important individual generosity is to the central Minnesota communities we serve."
Said Lindholm: "It serves as a wonderful reminder to friends of the Patriots to support future Pequot Lakes students by making a contribution to the Patriot Foundation."
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The Patriot Foundation and its advisory team aligned with the Initiative Foundation in May 2017 as a way to support students and educational initiatives in the Pequot Lakes area. The foundation hosts more than 110 funds for families, businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups. The foundation's Partner Fund program allows local leaders to champion local causes while foundation staff provide the infrastructure necessary for donor gifts to receive the highest possible charitable tax deduction.
