HISTORY OF FUND

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.

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 over $757,200 in scholarships.
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 EIN 20-0302442.
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 and change in 1994 after a 50/50 drawing. We initially raised money to help family with their schooling. Through 2002, we had raised about $4,000. My brother Larry suggested a polka dance fund raiser. With the help of four polka bands and the support of the community, we raised almost $8,500 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 fund raising and what are we going to do with the money. We agreed 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 the new "Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund, Inc". Our mission was "pay forward" and scholarships would be granted to students in financial need to benefit the families where we were born and raised - Centerville and Solon Townships, Leelanau County, Michigan. In 2011, the Board expanded eligibility for scholarships to include the entire Leelanau County.

In March of 2005, the Fund became recognized by the IRS with the Employer Identification Number 20-0302442.

As an approved charity, we immediately began public fund raising with an Annual Spring Fling Event, which became our biggest annual fundraiser. The event featured polka music from the family bands, dinner, and fund raising through auctions and ticket sales. The Annual Spring Fling was held in Grand Rapids for nine years. In 2015, it was moved to Leelanau County and continued as an annual event until Covid struck in 2019.

In 2010, Ed and Barbara, another brother and his wife, made a major contribution to use "Sugar Loaf - The Old Course", as a golf event and annual fund raiser. Except for 2020 due to Covid, the 12th annual golf outing was just held and continues.

Due to Covid In 2020, the only fund raiser was through a Silent Auction "Thanks for Giving" online event which also included sponsors, direct donations, and 86 auction items. The event was very successful financially and the Board decided to continue with the virtual event for 2021 and 2022.

In the early years, there were various small fund-raising events - such as 50/50's, card parties, and friends volunteering at state approved Texas Hold-em Tournaments. The profits went to the Fund.

We continue to be supported by many generous donors through monthly and annual contributions and memorial funds.

We welcome the Fund be named in estate plans by friends of the Fund to further enhance the growth of the number and dollar amount of scholarships. Contact Ted Fleis if you want to consider having a scholarship awarded in your family name.

History of Scholarships

With IRS approved charity status, public fund raising began in 2005. We distributed the first scholarships in 2006 amounting to four $500 awards. The monies came from the previous fund raisers, direct donations, and the interest earned.

As part of our approval process from the IRS as a charity, the Fund uses independent selection committees to handle the confidential process of selecting the scholarship winners. We currently have the Cedar Chamber of Commerce and the Cedar-Maple City Lions Club alternate years to select the winners for the scholarships. The Board of Directors or family members do not participate in the selection process or review the confidential applications.

The IRS requires the Fund to distribute a minimum of 5% of the Foundation's funds annually. Typically, the Board awards 6 to 7%. Through 2024, we have awarded $757,200 in scholarships.

The scholarships grew from $2,000 in the year 2006 for 4 scholarships to $90,000 in 2024 for 75 scholarships. The Board's goal is to continue to increase the dollar amount of scholarships and number awarded each year. The need to grow the scholarship program is still there as 126 scholarship applications were requested last year.

We have already helped 420 students with scholarships. Many scholarships are awarded to individuals that have gone back to college many years after high school to finish their education. We are one of the few programs that provide financial help for those individuals going back to school. Some students have received a scholarship each year of their schooling.

With your support, together, we are making a difference to financially help people get that degree or technical certification.

The Board of Directors

The Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund has 12 members on the Board of Directors. These Directors represent the 12 siblings. There are no paid positions.
Ted Fleis, President
Ed Fleis, Vice-President
Joan Gauthier, Secretary
Larry Fleis, Treasurer
Ruth Ann Smith
Doug Watkoski
Jenny Enrietto
Jim Fleis
Bernadette Denoyer
Shirley Mikowski
Noreen Savage
Eric Cwengros

Committee and Volunteers

Our goal is to have one major annual fund raising year plus the golf outing as a fun event.

We need all kinds of help to put these events on. We maintain a very low overhead with all labor volunteered and some costs are donated by our sponsoring companies. If interested in getting involved, please contact us - 231-578-5119.

Examples of help:

Helpers during the golf outing events - typically the first weekend of August.
Help year-round to maintain the website or our social media.
Help putting videos together for the fundraising campaign.
Assistance on phone calls to contact our supporters.
If the Live event comes back next year, there is all kinds of help needed at the hall.
Mentors - if you have already graduated and want to volunteer to make calls to students.

Strategic Plan

Continue to grow the dollar value of the Fund.
Continue to grow the number and dollar value of the scholarships.
Maintain a low overhead - we have very little overhead due to the many volunteers and support of our sponsoring companies.
Open up the Fund to allow families to have scholarships awarded in their family's name.
Open up the Fund to allow companies to have a scholarship in their company's name.

How we can help the community together

Tell your family and friends about the scholarship program.
Identify students that can be helped through financial support or mentoring. We need more mentors to provide encouragement to stay in school and "get that degree".
"Pay Forward" and make the Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund one of your favorite charities. Please consider us in your monthly or annual giving. We have individuals that have selected the Fund as their "charity" and send us a donation every month.
Be active in our fund-raising events. Donate an auction item. Join us online for the auction and buy some of the great items donated.
Ask the company you are a part of or work for to become a sponsor.
Participate in the golf outing.
Consider us in your will or estate planning. Talk to us about having a scholarship in your family's name or your company's name.
Contact us if you have any suggestions, ideas or questions to improve what we do. Call Ted at 231-578-5119