About KEEF

What is an Endowment Fund?  As a charitable foundation, KEEF is a non-stock corporation organized with the State of Wisconsin (est. 1991). The IRS has also granted tax-exempt, public charity status under 501(c)3 which means that KEEF does not pay income taxes and donations to KEEF are tax deductible consistent with applicable IRS regulations.  As an endowment, KEEF holds all contributions (known as principal) intact and spends only a portion of the investment earnings and gains.  Since only a portion of the earnings is spent, the intention and hope is that KEEF will grow forever with inflation.  Over time, the intention is that investment proceeds increase the value of the fund and the cumulative impact of its grants. 

Current Financial Status.  KEEF has approximately $1,600,000 in principal endowed funds as of December 31, 2022. While the annual total grant amount changes each year, including carry-over of funds not awarded from prior years, KEEF has a budget of over $80,000  available for grant awarding in 2023!

KEEF’S Purpose. Per KEEF’s Bylaws, the primary purpose of KEEF is to further educational opportunities for students who are enrolled in the Kiel Area School District as follows:

Special Academic Fellowship.  KEEF shall provide support for special academic programs or additional educational opportunities, activities, and awards for individual students or for groups of students.

Special Opportunities in Learning.  KEEF shall promote additional learning opportunities for students including, but not limited to, new technology, visiting artists, and lecturers.

Standard Grant Requests

Examples of Grants Awarded by KEEF.  Over the years, KEEF has supported KASD in a number of ways!  Without limitation this includes:  

-         Supply and equipment purchases outside of normal budget such as extra graphing calculators to meet unexpected student demand, 4K executive functioning enrichment items, Baby Think it Over, Fatal Vision, Imaginative play center, STEM (coding/robotics), instrument replacements, GAGA pit, indoor cycling bikes, Makerspace, etc.

-         Field trips that enrich education and curriculum such as numerous and diverse museums, theaters, planetariums, farms, camps, Bookworm Gardens, Farm Wisconsin, Christopher Gardens, Close-up, Show Choir, etc.

-         Specific educational opportunities such as JA Biz Town, Lumberjack Day, 7^th grade outdoor education experience, Literary food truck festival, First Tee school program, John Jacobson, Chicago Board of Trade, Law Day at Manitowoc County, etc.

-         Author and speaker visits

-         Certain incentive/reward programs with defined behavioral or educational enrichment consistent with KEEF’s purpose such as Power of Positive Students, professional dancers, etc.