The Foundation

Foundation 191 began in 2005 to meet a need for innovative opportunities for students in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district. The mission of Foundation 191 is to enhance, enrich and expand educational opportunities within the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district. Since inception, we have used our status as a not for profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation to raise over $100,000 in funds and in kind contributions that have been returned to the school district in programs and projects benefiting students and early childhood education. And we’re planning to do more.

Starting in 2007 we began a successful grant program that has awarded 66 grants totaling over $56,000 to projects created and developed by staff or students in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district impacting Early Childhood Education, all ten elementary schools, our three junior high-middle schools, Burnsville High School and the Alternative High School. Each project directly benefits students in the district and has carried a wide ranging impact for students, staff, their families and our community. We are proud to say we have touched thousands of students with these projects.

“The road traveled has been productive and rewarding but more work needs to be done. To expand our impact we need financial support to fund new projects and opportunities. Investing in education in our community is an investment in our future. We need your support. Together, we can make a difference.” 

We are driven by our volunteer board of directors comprised of community members, alumni, parents, business people and ex officio members. We have evolved over the years and are growing into a wider organization providing more benefits within our mission.  Our initial fund raising efforts included a series of successful annual dinner and entertainment events each fall including such acts as America’s Funniest Mom Darlene Westgor, magician ‘The Amazing Hondo,’ and student entertainment. We have hosted our annual ‘Grapes and Grains’ fundraising event at the beautiful Ames Center in Burnsville each winter that features craft beer and wine tasting, a silent auction and wonderful food for an evening to mix and mingle and raise funds.

We have proudly co-sponsored the Dan Patch Days race during the city of Savage’s annual Dan Patch Days, and hold our annual Foundation Golf Tournament in September at the Crystal Lake Golf Club. We have partnered for other events at Barnes & Noble.

Some of our highlights reflect the growth of Foundation 191:

• Foundation 191 raised funds to help support “The Sounds of Math” in all ten district elementary schools. Over 600 fifth and sixth graders were taught by folk musician Ross Sutter, an artist in residence utilizing music to teach the essentials of math, how to build and play dulcimers using math and music concepts.
• Foundation 191 sponsored the Literacy project in the district’s three junior highs. Artists and poets from the arts group COMPAS led two week segments throughout the year on poetry and narrative writing.
• Foundation 191 funded Burnsville High School’s “From Many Voices” project. Language Arts teachers received special training for writing instruction and students in senior level creative writing and journalism classes established writing mentorships with English Language Learner students. A collection of the students’ writings entitled “From Many Voices” is available in school and public libraries in ISD 191.
• Foundation 191 funded assistance for a new early literacy program for incoming kindergartners through ISD 191’s Early Childhood Education.
• Foundation 191 provided grant funds and sponsorship for the district’s successful Bowls for Brain Power, the Harriet Bishop Service Club, Burnsville High School Robotics, BHS band drumline, Nicollet calculator lending library, Girls on the Run, field trip to the McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center, numerous reading and book programs and English Language Learner programs, among others. We sponsored a series of seminars on positive behavior by Corwin Kronenberg at Diamondhead education center for parents, staff and the community.

We facilitated an anonymous stock donation of over $18,000 for smart boards and technology at Vista View elementary school and have gladly facilitated other creative donations. We are looking forward to participating in the awarding of scholarships at Burnsville High School each spring.