Spring: A Season of Philanthropy

As Superintendent of Cambridge-Isanti Schools, I have the good fortune to attend many collaborative meetings and events around our community and region. I’m often inspired by the positive synergy that exists as leaders and volunteers from various groups regularly come together to solve problems, remove barriers, plan for the future, support growth, and partner with goodwill to serve our communities. 

This month, many volunteer-led organizations are deeply engaged in a season of philanthropy to support our local communities. Common threads that weave through each group and event are the people championing causes to better our future. When individuals and organizations step up to help children and families, we are also investing in our community’s future.  

Scholardazzle

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending Scholardazzle, an event that supports Anoka Ramsey Community College students through local college scholarship funding. This event understands the power of higher education to transform lives and open doors to a variety of pathways and employment success. By supporting student scholarships, we invest in developing our local workforce that will be more skilled, adaptable, innovative, and committed to lifelong learning in an ever-changing world.

Dollars for Scholars

Since 1990, Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars has worked to provide scholarships for post-secondary education and training to Cambridge-Isanti High School graduates. This commitment remains the same today. Scholarships and accessible educational and training programs ensure that all can access education. In return, they contribute back to our community in meaningful ways and ensure the vibrancy of our local economy, which benefits all of us.

Scholarships also tell our youth that we believe in them and want them to lead in the future. An affordable education can and will unlock endless opportunities for talented and motivated youth who will undoubtedly change the world. You can support this important cause online at ci.dollarsforscholars.org/

Future Fest — Bluejacket Education Foundation

In only two short years, the Bluejacket Education Foundation is cultivating community generosity to increase educational opportunities for Cambridge-Isanti students through ongoing grants from a continuously growing endowment. The Annual Future Fest, scheduled for April 19, 2024, is a friend-raising, fundraising celebration of Bluejacket pride, generations, and generosity! 

The Bluejacket Education Foundation believes there is no greater return on investment than supporting the education and achievement of our children — the stronger our schools, the stronger our community. They believe in a shared mission to invest in the success of future generations. You can get involved with the foundation or purchase tickets for the event at https://bjef.org/ 

The Taste — Rotary Club of Cambridge-Isanti

"The Taste" being held on April 4 is the annual fundraiser for the Cambridge-Isanti Rotary Club. Focused on service above self, the Rotary supports projects that enhance human relationships and address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students.

 

Fill the Pantry  March 1-29 

Benefitting the Isanti Food Pantry, First Bank & Trust’s will donate $1 per item (up to $1,000) to match your donations through March 29, 2024. Food and personal hygiene items are accepted. Working in schools, we know that too many families with children are dealing with mental health issues, financial distress, and poverty. The inability to pay bills, put food on the table, or afford safe shelter is a leading cause of generational trauma. We can all help our neighbors in need.

North 65 Chamber of Commerce Gala

The North 65 Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala and Awards Dinner at the end of May will showcase the businesses and individuals who foster our local economic well-being. Multiple awards will be presented, honoring excellence and longevity in business, innovative practices, and outstanding contributions to the area. 

In our community, many volunteers step up to make an impact, see in others what they might not see in themselves, and open doors to new opportunities. It is collective philanthropic and civic generosity that sustains the vibrance of our local communities. 

We see our future in the eyes of the children in our schools today. They are fortunate to live in a community that places humanity and humankind at the center of our lives. Thank you for your continued generosity, volunteerism, and support. It’s a great day to be a Bluejacket!
 

Nate Rudolph
Superintendent