For Parents -> LEEF FAQ
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What is LEEF?
In 1994, Lincoln Education Enrichment Fund (LEEF) was created by the Lincoln PTA as a separate, non-profit organization to raise funds to pay for enrichment programs at Lincoln. These programs are not funded by the school district or taxes.
What does my LEEF donation pay for?
What are enrichment programs?
Does my
LEEF donation go to my child’s classroom?
LEEF donations benefit your child, as well as all Lincoln students. The main donation goal each year is to pay for staff salaries in the enrichment programs.
- Librarian to teach library skills, assist students as needed, and maintain materials.
- Technology Specialist to teach computer skills and provide technical support for all classes.
- Trained Music Instructor to teach K-3 music classes and 3-5 grade chorus.
- PE Teacher to teach K-3 physical education.
- Two Instructional Assistants to provide in-class help in all combination and 4-5 grade classes.
Programs funded by LEEF Donations
(Combo classes only)
Chorus
(grades 3-5)In past years, as funds allow, donations also support additional enrichment activities and materials, such as:
- A technology lab, including software and hardware for over 30 computers.
- Library computers for checking books in and out.
- Classroom printers, library books, teacher workshops, student assemblies, and educational enrichment days.
Why don’t my California state or local taxes pay for these enrichment programs?
Our school district, Cupertino Union School District (CUSD) is one of the lowest funded districts in California, according to June 2008 District newsletter (see right hand column in newsletter). There are no funds in our CUSD district to pay for enrichment programs. Family donations and corporate matches support these programs.
Why is my LEEF donation important?
Without LEEF donations, these enrichment programs would not exist at Lincoln (see "What does my LEEF donation pay for?"). Direct donations are an easy way for Lincoln parents to financially support these enrichment programs.
Why should I turn in the LEEF Donor Form with my child(ren)’s name and
room number(s)?
Why should I turn in a copy of my Online donation and/or
Corporate Match made through my company?
Please turn in a LEEF Donor Form with your donation. If you do not turn in a LEEF Donor form:
- It can be difficult to match your donation to your child’s name, if the student’s name and Room # was not included anywhere on the donation. Often a parent’s last name is different from the child’s last name or there are common last names.
- LEEF may not know about your donation, if made online through your company, until a corporate check is mailed to LEEF, which can take more than 90 days.
If applicable, please also turn a copy of your online donation and/or company’s matching gift form to LEEF, along with the LEEF Donor Form. In an envelope marked “LEEF donation”, give these papers to your classroom teacher or the School Office.
Why do I see donation requests from various sources when my child starts school each year?
Our school district, CUSD, is one of the lowest funded in the state (read the June 2008 District newsletter - right hand column). Families are asked to support their child’s education in various ways. Within each classroom, families may be asked to financially support their classroom by:
- Donating supplies the first day of school
- Paying for activities/materials specific to the classroom or grade
All Lincoln students benefit from enrichment programs (i.e. music, library, PE, computers, etc.) throughout the school year. Annual LEEF donations provide these enrichment programs for Lincoln students.
Why should I take a few minutes to fill out a Corporate Matching form, along with a LEEF Donor form?
Each year over $10,000 in Corporate Matching donations help contribute to the $100,000 donation goal. By completing a Corporate Matching form with your employer, you can increase your family’s contribution, up to 100%. In some cases, both parents may be able to file a corporate match with their respective companies.
Click here for a list of known companies with Corporate Matching. For Corporate Matching, please turn in:
- LEEF Donor Form
- Copy of your company’s Matching form
- If applicable, copy of online donation through your company.
If you forget to turn in the LEEF Donor Form, then the child/parent relationship is unknown. So, it becomes difficult to verify for your company that your donation is tied to a corporate match -- which delays the corporate matching process for your donation.
Why don’t I see my company’s name on the list of known matching companies?
If your company is not listed, LEEF may not be aware that your company matches donations. Sometimes companies may go through periods in which they match donations, then stop matching, then continue to match again. Check with your company’s Human Resources (HR) department.
I submitted a Corporate Match form through my company (either online or on paper). However, LEEF has not confirmed my family’s donation with my company in order to start the matching process. What’s taking so long?
If your family donated with a personal check, instead of an online donation through your company, then in order to start the Corporate Matching process, LEEF needs to confirm the family donation amount with your company. To start this process, please turn in an envelope marked “LEEF” to the School Office with the following:
- a completed LEEF Donor Form
- a printout of the Corporate Match Form from your company
Otherwise, LEEF may not be aware that your Corporate Match needs a confirmation of your personal check, if LEEF does not receive any paperwork.
Whom can I contact at LEEF about Corporate Matching?
First contact your company’s Human Resources (HR) department for the appropriate forms for matching donations. For faster results, use your company’s online version of Corporate Matching. Then if you still have questions for LEEF regarding Corporate Matching, send e-mail to “info@lincolnleef.org”, or leave a note for “LEEF” in the School Office.
Can my company donate a check, based on my volunteer hours at Lincoln?
Some companies (i.e. Lockheed, salesforce.com, Applied Materials) will convert an employee’s volunteer time at Lincoln into a corporate donation check. Please contact your Human Resources (HR) department to find out if there is a corporate form for converting volunteer time into monetary donations. Questions can also be e-mailed to “info@lincolnleef.org”.
Printing LEEF Forms and Info
List of Companies with Matching Programs
Return the following papers in an envelope marked “LEEF donation” and give to your classroom teacher or the School Office:
- LEEF Donor form
- copy of online donation, if applicable
- copy of Corporate Matching form, if applicable
Contact Information
How do I contact LEEF for more questions?
Send an e-mail to LEEF President Susanne Millar, info@lincolnleef.org, or leave a note for “LEEF” in the School Office.
Questions or problems using this LEEF web site?
Send e-mail to webmaster@lincolnleef.org.