​NBAEF announces grant recipients
 
On Monday, Feb. 12, representatives of the North Branch Area Education Foundation (NBAEF) made their annual trip through the hallways of North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) to deliver good news to staff - grants have been approved!
 
This year the NBAEF, with a generous donation of $10,000 from ECMC Foundation (Educational Credit Management Corporation) Foundation, awarded nine grants to staff at the Sunrise River School, North Branch Area Middle School, the Norse Area Learning Center, and North Branch Area High School, totaling over $17,000.
 
The 2023-24 NBAEF grants will provide a wide variety of opportunities for students, including a “Zen Den” calming room and Outdoor Adventures field trip at North Branch Area High School, a classroom set of ukuleles, and a set of Sphero Robotics at the Sunrise River School, a mentoring and leadership program and behavior incentive items at North Branch Area Middle School, exercise equipment at the Norse Area Learning Center, classroom “clickers” for classrooms K-5, and recreation and field trip opportunities for the Chisago County Schools’ Life Work Center.
 
“We are so grateful, and so fortunate, to have the North Branch Area Education Foundation providing these incredible opportunities for our students and staff year in and year out,” said NBAPS Supt. Sara Paul. “Viking innovation is at the heart of how we become better every day, and the foundation provides the opportunity for creative ideas to be put into action!.”
 
Since 2010, the NBAEF has raised over $509,000 and awarded grants over $231,300.

2021 Has been a year of Recovery … recovery from Covid, from mask mandates, from distance learning, from zoom meetings, from work home offices, from vaccine indecision, from obstacles and from opportunities. 
 
As we recover from the chaos, the NBAEF was able to move forward with two events this year.  Both events were a change from the past.   
In July, our Wine Tasting was so much Fun!  It brought the Community together for a small event which included a Wine Tasting, Charcuterie Boards, Swag Bags, Raffle Drawings, Gifts, Conversation and Laughter!   
 
In October, our Annual Fundraiser was a change from the Perfect 10 Gala to a Casino Royale ‘Get Lucky at The Perfect 10’!  Bringing the Community together for a night of Gaming!  The event was so much Fun, Cocktails, Food, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Fund-A-Dream, Angel Fund, Raffles, Friends and so much Laughter!    
 
This year’s events raised approximately $36,000 for the Kids of North Branch Area Public Schools!  Bringing the total to $374,500 since 2008! 
 
We are looking forward to our 2022 Events:  Restaurant Week, Lip Sync Battle, Designer Purse Bingo, Wine Tasting, and The Perfect 10! 
 
As we move forward into 2022, we are looking for new Members to ‘Join Our Team’ on the Board of Directors!  Our vision is to create a legacy of educational support in our community by building a network of individuals and organizations!  Dedicated to enhancing student opportunities to achieve excellence for the students of North Branch Area Public Schools ISD-138!   
 
None of this is possible without the support, dedication, and commitment from our Board of Directors, our Sponsors, our Donors, our Volunteers, and our Attendees!  Your continued enthusiasm for the North Branch Area Education Foundation is greatly appreciated! 
 
Together, we can do great things! 
 
~ Kim Theis, President 

​Thank You, Jim Jorgenson! 
 
This year marks the 11th year that our Master of Ceremony, Jim Jorgenson, has supported our "Perfect 10" event and continues to donate his time and auctioneer talents. He has helped us raise funds to support the North Branch Area Public Schools ISD-138. Since its formation in 2008, NBAEF has awarded over $374,900 in support to enhance programs not covered by traditional funding through local, state, or federal sources.  
 
For 11 years, Jim has been the Emcee for our annual fundraiser. He brings so much fun, excitement, and humor, he grabs the attention of all attendees, getting everyone fired up for bidding on live auction items, announcing raffle winners, making special announcements, thanking our sponsors and volunteers, and keeping our program running smooth. He and his lovely wife, Carrie, are the cutest couple. They attend the events together and she fully supports his cause.  
 
Not only does the NBAEF appreciate his support, time, and talents, we are also lucky to have him reside in North Branch. He does so much for our community. He participates in many local organizations, getting involved, volunteering, promoting, bringing people together. In addition to owning his own business, JJ’s Auction Service, and supporting our local community, he also Emcee’s other events outside our community. 
 
Thank You, Jim, for just being You!

​The Event was a SUCCESS! With 99 attendees we raised $34,505 during the three hour event. So much Fun! Cocktails, Food, Gaming, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Fund-A-Dream, Angel Fund, Raffles, Family, Friends, and so much Laughter! 
 
Thank You to our Attendees, our Sponsors, our Master of Ceremonies, our Volunteers, and our Board of Directors!  Your continued support of the North Branch Area Education Foundation is greatly appreciated! 

The North Branch Area Education Foundation is dedicated to enhancing student opportunities to achieve excellence!

Our fundraisers are only possible by the generous gifts and donations we receive that help support our vision, “to create a legacy of educational support in our community by building a network of individuals and organizations.” Money raised by the Foundation is donated to North Branch Area Public School District ISD-138 through Grants to benefit the students.

Each year, the Grant Committee reviews the grant applications and awards as many as possible. The committee receives about twice as many applications as there is money. Through your generous support of the Foundation Grants, Fund-A-Dream, and Angel Fund, we are able to help our children experience and learn from a teacher or coach who goes above and beyond the norm to create a lifelong learning experience.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, this year we have had to Cancel our ‘Designer Purse Bingo’, our ‘Lip Sync Battle’, and now our ‘Perfect 10 Gala’. We are all living a new normal, everything around us has changed, and this period of time is challenging.

Through this, we want to encourage our educators to submit their grant applications, knowing their requests may be very different than in the past. Our hope, is that we may still be able to honor these grant requests.
We can only hope that you will support our mission and make a donation to help us achieve our vision.

WAYS TO GIVE:
~ Make a donation online at nbaef.org
~ Send a check to 5842 Old Main Street, Suite 7-4, North Branch, MN 55056
~ Contact any Board Member directly.
Together we (parents, community leaders, business leaders, and educators) ARE making a Difference!
Thank You for your continued support of the NBAEF and the students of the North Branch Area Public School District ISD-138!

Kim Theis
President, North Branch Area Education Foundation

2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Kim Theis, Terry Nelson, Rebecca Chambers, Jessica Young, Matt Lattimore, Mindy Lattimore, Lori Helms, Jenny Gordner, Brett Carlson, Joan Audette

You may have heard the term “legacy giving” but weren’t sure what it meant. Here’s a basic definition: it is simply planning to make a difference, both for yourself and for a cause that you believe in, through a charitable gift. The goal of such gifts is to “leave a legacy” that can make an impact for future generations.

John and his late wife, Pamela, were both graduates of the North Branch School System. John has decided to honor his Alma Mater by making NBAEF as a Beneficiary on his IRA designated for the Angel Fund.
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We are so blessed for this amazing gift. Thank You!

Checkout this great article, about our local community, celebrating the Class of 2020!

Signs of the times: Yard signs spotlight North Branch Area High School graduates
Isanti-Chisago County Star