OUR IMPACT - What we do
Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation operates a variety of programming to enhance educational opportunities in Moorhead Area Public Schools. The foundation provides support for the needs of students in the district through several programs, investments and endowments. Read more about how to leave your legacy on our Give Back page and support our work with a tax-deductible donation today.
Spud Scholars
Since 1991, Spud Scholars has awarded over $2 Million in scholarships to 2,000 Moorhead High graduates. The goal of MLEF is to build an investment fund of $1,520,000. Only the interest from these funds is awarded each year, ensuring the perpetuity of the funds. Many scholarships are awarded directly by the foundation. Others are sponsored by individuals, families, businesses and organizations in the community. Our annual Spud Scholars Phonathon is run by current students of Moorhead Area Public Schools and occurs each February/March.
Moorhead High School graduating seniors should complete the Scholarship Form in SPUDS Landing. Graduates of Moorhead High School who are enrolled in post-secondary schools should complete the Pitsenbarger Family Scholarship application: Post-secondary Scholarship Form. Two post-secondary scholarships are awarded based on need, and two are awarded based on merit.
A full list of named scholarships and recipients is included with each year's annual report.
Since 1991, Spud Scholars has awarded over $2 Million in scholarships to 2,000 Moorhead High graduates. The goal of MLEF is to build an investment fund of $1,520,000. Only the interest from these funds is awarded each year, ensuring the perpetuity of the funds. Many scholarships are awarded directly by the foundation. Others are sponsored by individuals, families, businesses and organizations in the community. Our annual Spud Scholars Phonathon is run by current students of Moorhead Area Public Schools and occurs each February/March.
Moorhead High School graduating seniors should complete the Scholarship Form in SPUDS Landing. Graduates of Moorhead High School who are enrolled in post-secondary schools should complete the Pitsenbarger Family Scholarship application: Post-secondary Scholarship Form. Two post-secondary scholarships are awarded based on need, and two are awarded based on merit.
A full list of named scholarships and recipients is included with each year's annual report.
Spud Impact Staff Grants and Gifts toward Academics, Activities, Arts and Athletics
We provide grants to Moorhead Area Public Schools educators, and pass-throughs for the main areas of Academics, Activities, Arts and Athletics.
The Legacy Foundation has awarded annual Spud Impact teacher grants totaling $3,000 - $10,000 each year. If you're an educator interested in applying, watch for district emails each fall with instructions on how to apply through Extranet.
Read more about these grant awards.If you would like to donate toward Academics, Activities, Arts or Athletics, please contact us for more information. Gifts over $10,000 can be recognized as a Spud Impact named grant or donation.
We provide grants to Moorhead Area Public Schools educators, and pass-throughs for the main areas of Academics, Activities, Arts and Athletics.
The Legacy Foundation has awarded annual Spud Impact teacher grants totaling $3,000 - $10,000 each year. If you're an educator interested in applying, watch for district emails each fall with instructions on how to apply through Extranet.
Read more about these grant awards.If you would like to donate toward Academics, Activities, Arts or Athletics, please contact us for more information. Gifts over $10,000 can be recognized as a Spud Impact named grant or donation.
Food For Thought
Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation's Food For Thought campaign is part of Giving Hearts Day, co-hosted by Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Institute and Alex Stern Family Foundation. MLEF wants students in Moorhead Area Public Schools to receive milk/snack break and meals when their families are struggling to make ends meet, as studies show that well-fed students are focused students. Currently, over 40% of students in Moorhead Area Public Schools are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but that state-funded program doesn’t cover the cost for elementary milk and snack break or fill the gaps when families’ financial situations change and they are unable to pay for meals. Since 2017, the Legacy Foundation has distributed over $132,000 to Moorhead Area Public Schools to cover the milk and snack break for students in need of assistance. Our goal for 2023 is to provide $35,000.
We welcome information about applying for additional grant funding, found locally, statewide or nationally. If you know of available grants, please email us at moorheadlegacyfoundation@gmail.com.
Read more about our Giving Hearts Day campaigns on our Events page.
Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation's Food For Thought campaign is part of Giving Hearts Day, co-hosted by Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Institute and Alex Stern Family Foundation. MLEF wants students in Moorhead Area Public Schools to receive milk/snack break and meals when their families are struggling to make ends meet, as studies show that well-fed students are focused students. Currently, over 40% of students in Moorhead Area Public Schools are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, but that state-funded program doesn’t cover the cost for elementary milk and snack break or fill the gaps when families’ financial situations change and they are unable to pay for meals. Since 2017, the Legacy Foundation has distributed over $132,000 to Moorhead Area Public Schools to cover the milk and snack break for students in need of assistance. Our goal for 2023 is to provide $35,000.
We welcome information about applying for additional grant funding, found locally, statewide or nationally. If you know of available grants, please email us at moorheadlegacyfoundation@gmail.com.
Read more about our Giving Hearts Day campaigns on our Events page.
Spud History and The History Wall
The lobby of Horizon Middle School's Performing Arts Center is home to a 50-foot long historical timeline of Moorhead Area Public Schools from the 1890's to present day. The project was a joint venture between the school district, the Legacy Foundation and Spud History. A dedication ceremony was held on October 30, 2018, with alumni & soon-to-be graduates representing the decades from 1940 to 2030. Memorabilia is on display, along with a touch-screen database containing scanned yearbooks, news articles and more. We invite you to like the Moorhead Spud History facebook page where 2,000+ followers are shared historical pictures and stories.
ALUMNI and CLASS REUNIONS: Planning a class reunion? Spud History has a "Reunion in a Box" to help with your gathering. Consider having a class challenge to support our work within Moorhead Schools and arrange for a class visit to the History Wall project. (Reunion shirt designs are occasionally available - check back often, or contact us with a design request.)
The lobby of Horizon Middle School's Performing Arts Center is home to a 50-foot long historical timeline of Moorhead Area Public Schools from the 1890's to present day. The project was a joint venture between the school district, the Legacy Foundation and Spud History. A dedication ceremony was held on October 30, 2018, with alumni & soon-to-be graduates representing the decades from 1940 to 2030. Memorabilia is on display, along with a touch-screen database containing scanned yearbooks, news articles and more. We invite you to like the Moorhead Spud History facebook page where 2,000+ followers are shared historical pictures and stories.
ALUMNI and CLASS REUNIONS: Planning a class reunion? Spud History has a "Reunion in a Box" to help with your gathering. Consider having a class challenge to support our work within Moorhead Schools and arrange for a class visit to the History Wall project. (Reunion shirt designs are occasionally available - check back often, or contact us with a design request.)
- Click this link for Moorhead Spud History information: http://moorheadspuds.touchpros.com/Home2.aspx
Annual Reports
Read the highlights of our work and the supporters who made it happen.
Read the highlights of our work and the supporters who made it happen.
- 2023 Annual E-Newsletter
- 2022 Annual E-Newsletter
- 2019-20 Annual Report/Newsletter
- 2018-19 Annual Report, *in our 2019-20 Newsletter, Merger info included
- 2017-18 Annual Report
- Pre-Merger Annual Reports for MAEF, coming soon