mission statement

The Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund's purpose is to increase the number of post high school students that graduate from a college, university or trade school.  We will accomplish our goals through financial support and mentoring with special attention to those individuals deciding to return to school.

the purpose of the fund

​The Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund was created to increase the number of graduates and encourage people to continue their education or return to a university or trade school and achieve a degree or certification.  The student, to be eligible for assistance and/or aid must have a direct lineal connection to the past or present residents in Leelanau County, Michigan.  Eligibility does not require residency, only a direct lineal connection.

How to apply for scholarships.

Go to the scholarships application section for more information about applying for a scholarship.

Scholarships

highlights

• Established in memory of Ed and Irene Fleis.
• Scholarships are awarded based on financial need who are a resident of Leelanau County or a direct descendent from Leelanau County.
• Since 2006, the Education Fund has awarded $468,000 in scholarships.  The Board approved awarding $90,000 for 75 scholarships in 2022 making the total of $558,000 committed to scholarships to date.
• Past scholarship recipients ranged in age from 18 to 45.
• The selection committees for the scholarships are independent of the Board.  No Board members participate in the scholarship selection.​
• Is recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) charity.
• ​None of the officers or directors receive a salary or compensation.

history of the fund by ted fleis, president

 A savings account in the memory of Irene Fleis (Mom), was opened with $ 56.00 and change in 1994 after a 50/50 drawing.  We initially raised money to help family with their schooling.  Through 2002, we had raised to date about $4,000.  My brother Larry suggested a polka dance fund raiser.  With the help of the four polka bands and the support of the community, we raised almost $8,500.00 at that first event.

​When Ed Fleis (Dad) joined Mom in heaven, we changed the name of the fund to the Ed & Irene Education Fund.

After putting on the dance fund raiser, we now had over $12,000 in our savings account.  Larry and I brainstormed what we would do about future fundraising and what are we going to do with the money.  We felt that the only way to get people to support the program or to raise any serious amount of money was to become an IRS approved charity.

We put a draft together of the paperwork to form a new "Ed & Irene Fleis Foundation".  Larry and I called a family meeting to review the proposed organization and it was approved unanimously.  The 12 siblings would become the inaugural Board Members of the new foundation.  The family decided we would "pay forward" on a mission to provide scholarships to benefit the community where our family came from --- Centerville and Solon Townships, Leelanau County, Michigan.  (In 2001, the board expanded eligibility, to include the whole County). 

We pursued becoming an IRS approved charity.  After a couple years of research and effort, in March of 2005, the fund became recognized by the IRS with the Employer Identification Number 20-0302442.

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The management team…..

The Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund has 12 members on the board of directors.  The officers are: Ted Fleis - President, Ed Fleis - Vice President, Joan Gauthier - Secretary, and Larry Fleis, - Treasurer. All have graciously donated their time and talent so the Fund operates without any overhead. In addition, an entertainment committee and a historical writing group have been established.




In 2006 the fund distributed its first (4) $ 500.00 scholarships. The monies came from the interest earned from the principal that is in the fund. Since we are recognized by the IRS as a charity, we use third parties to handle the selection process.  The Cedar Chamber of Commerce and Cedar-Maple City Lions Club  alternate years and review the applications and select the winners of the award.




Each year the fund will distribute a minimum of 5% of its monies with the intent it will continue and grow forever. 

Why is this important to us…………….

1. The Fund was established in memory of our parents who raised 12 of us, (I know I was Mom‘s favorite), but yet gave to their church and community. We  remember them every time a check is written.

2. My wife and I have given a lot of money to charities over the years and frankly I don’t know how much of that money was used for the purpose intended, or was it gobbled up in salaries and overhead. Since the beginning, the money in the fund, with the exception of food expenses at the annual fund raiser, has been spent on helping and motivating students. 

3. As time passes,  your support (mentoring or financial) will help  your grand, great grand and great great grand children graduate.

An article in the Grand Rapids Press showed that a graduate from an university earns over $ 1,000,000.00 more over his or her lifetime then a person with a high school education.

In another article, only 51% of the students that attend college actually graduate. By the time I retire, I will be in the work force for 46 years. It make sense that the person that is just out of high school to continue his or her education before entering the work force.


How can you help……………

1. Identify students that we can help through financial support or mentoring.

2. We need more mentors. We have about a dozen volunteers to provide encouragement to stay in school and “get that degree”.

3. By "Paying Forward" you can make the Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund your charity.

* We have several individuals that have selected the fund as their "charity" and send a check every month.

* The estate of Ed & Irene Fleis' great grand daughter has donated over $ 60,000.00.

* Earmark a small amount of money in your will to the fund.

4. Contact us if you have any suggestions, ideas or questions.


Thanks for all the past support!!



Ted Fleis

President