<<< Return to main Giving page
Give online
Use our secure online donation page to make a donation from your desktop computer or mobile device, using a credit card or debit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover Card). You can make a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly donation. Your tax-deductible gift will be used to meet the greatest need. Or you can select a specific purpose from a list of options.
Another option for online giving is to check for active projects listed on our Support-a-School.org website. This online donation platform – hosted by LPEF – is open to use by staff members at La Crosse public schools and provides an alternative way to raise funds for important classroom projects through a low-cost, locally operated “crowdfunding” site.
Give by mail
LPEF accepts cash donations, but prefers checks made payable to La Crosse Public Education Foundation (or just LPEF). Your tax-deductible gift will be used to meet the greatest need. Or you can select a specific purpose from a list of options. Download and print our donation form and send along with your payment to:
La Crosse Public Education Foundation
PO Box 1811
La Crosse, WI 54602
Credit card donations may be made using the same donation form, although, for security, we encourage use of our online donation page.
Give by electronic transfer
You can make a one-time or recurring donation directly from your financial institution to LPEF’s account. For more information, please contact Executive Director Nell Saunders-Scott at 608-787-0226 or email: nell@lacrosseeducationfoundation.org.
Give through payroll deduct (for School District of La Crosse staff)
School District of La Crosse staff members may donate to LPEF through payroll deduct, or may make one-time gifts. Download and complete this pledge form and return it to LPEF. Use Inter-School mail to send it to LPEF’s office in the Hogan Administrative Center or use the mailing address found on the form.
Give by phone
Call (608) 787-0226 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and we can process your debit or credit card gift over the phone.
Give in other ways
- Give by transferring stock or other securities
- Give through a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA
- Give through a donor-advised fund, such as one established with the La Crosse Community Foundation
- Give through a charitable fund, such as Thrivent Choice
- Support an existing LPEF endowment fund with a gift of any size
- Establish an endowed fund with a minimum gift of $10,000 (which can be paid over multiple years)
- Make a planned gift — more details in Ways to give later
Donors considering a gift of closely held stock, real estate or investment personal property (such as art, precious metals or jewelry) are advised to contact LPEF before making such a gift. LPEF will only accept such gifts after approval by the LPEF Board of Directors.
Impact of tax law changes: If you are looking to maximize charitable donations in a single tax year (in order to itemize deductions), please consider a larger donation to LPEF in one year, rather than a series of smaller donations each year. LPEF can work with you to temporarily restrict a portion of your gift for future years, or for designated purposes. For more information, please contact Executive Director Nell Saunders-Scott at 608-787-0226 or email: nell@lacrosseeducationfoundation.org.
Make a memorial gift or donate in honor of someone
LPEF accepts and encourages gifts made in memory of a recently deceased loved one, or in honor of a particular District employee, or another individual or group of people. Whenever feasible, LPEF will notify the family of the deceased, or the individual/group being honored, with a card indicating the name and address of the benefactor, unless the benefactor has asked to remain anonymous. These gifts may be designated for a specific program or purpose, or a gift may be left undesignated.
Thank a Teacher: Thank your child’s teacher with a gift that lets them know they have inspired students in countless ways, helping them become wiser, more thoughtful and generous people. When you make a contribution in a teacher’s honor, LPEF will send them a card or a special certificate notifying them of your gift. Administrative assistants, teacher assistants, custodians, nurses, principals, cooks and others make a difference in the lives of students, too!
To make a tribute gift, use one of the methods described above. For online donations, provide the necessary information in the “Optional Information” section, which immediately follows your contact information.
Sponsor or contribute to a fundraising event
LPEF hosts two major fundraising events each year — the Bowtie Classic Golf Outing and Knowledge Open each Labor Day weekend, and our Grants Award Luncheon each January, honoring teachers and others who have received grants in the prior year. Other events vary from year-to-year.
In-kind gifts: LPEF accepts in-kind gifts of various types to help meet approved needs, including: gift cards/certificates for goods or services; food and beverages used at designated LPEF events; tangible goods, such as sports memorabilia or other items for use as raffle items or prizes at LPEF events; tickets to sporting or other events for use as raffle items or prizes at LPEF events; and other services or equipment that may be offered by businesses or organizations, if the LPEF Executive Director determines that the service will be of use to LPEF or to help fulfill its mission.
For updated sponsorship information, or to offer an in-kind donations, please contact Executive Director Nell Saunders-Scott at 608-787-0226 or email: nell@lacrosseeducationfoundation.org.
Provide a corporate gift
Businesses who choose to become a Foundation for Learning Sponsor (giving at least $1,000 annually outside of event sponsorships) receive special recognition and benefits. Find more information in our Corporate Giving section. Join the growing list of annual corporate sponsors by contacting Executive Director Nell Saunders-Scott at 608-787-0226 or email: nell@lacrosseeducationfoundation.org.
General guidelines for donations to LPEF
A contribution may be designated for a specific program or purpose, or a gift may be left undesignated. If a gift is to be restricted to a certain program or purpose, the preference must be stated when the gift is made. Unless otherwise specified in the agreement to accept the gift, LPEF staff will use its discretion to direct the gift to a purpose as close as possible to the benefactor’s intent. Whenever possible, LPEF will use existing programs and funds, or will consult with the District on a suitable use. Benefactors may be consulted as a courtesy.
Contributions must support and/or enhance the mission and purposes of LPEF. Contributions which subject LPEF to burdensome or unusual restrictions will not be accepted.
- LPEF does not accept gifts for student scholarships.
- LPEF does not solicit funds for capital improvements in the School District of La Crosse, but will facilitate pass-through grants and gifts for such purposes when the impact on staff workload is minimal.
- LPEF will not, in most cases, assume any indebtedness in connection with a gift. Exceptions must be approved in advance on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Directors.
- Expenses associated with the conveyance of a gift made to LPEF shall be borne by the donor. Once the gift has been received, LPEF assumes responsibility for any fees associated with the maintenance or sale of a gift, such as the cost of liquidating publicly traded securities.
DISCLAIMER: It is our policy to remind benefactors that LPEF does not provide tax, legal, financial or related advice concerning gifts, and encourages benefactors to seek out their own personal advisers on such matters.