FAQs
Q. Who is the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation
(CLEF)?
A. CLEF was formed in 1993 by sixteen business leaders
determined to change the lives of underprivileged children
in Chicago by providing financial assistance to Lutheran
schools. CLEF is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization.
Q. What is the CLEF Good
News Fund?
A. The CLEF Good News Fund is the money that is raised
by CLEF and distributed to Chicago Lutheran schools,
providing scholarships, educational materials, and
emergency assistance. CLEF also funds special education
opportunities for those children who have specific
needs.
Q. How is financial assistance made available?
A. Assistance is provided to children and schools through
designated grants, scholarships and special projects.
Q. How are financial grants used?
A. The children in these schools have many critical
needs that include scholarships, textbooks, special
education programs, computers and other capital expenditures.
The CLEF Grants Committee carefully evaluates the needs
and designates the use of funds.
Q. Is there a scholarship fund?
A. Yes. There is a great need for scholarships. CLEF
has established guidelines to qualify families who
request financial assistance to send their children
to Chicago Lutheran schools. (Click
here to read some "Thank Yous" from children, parents
and staff.)
Q. What percentage of a gift is applied to the actual
needs of a child or school?
A. 100% of every dollar you give goes to benefit children
in the schools. Board members of the Chicagoland Lutheran
Educational Foundation underwrite 100% of the operational
expenses of the CLEF Good News Fund.
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| IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION about the Good News Fund, CLEF or its
mission, please address your inquiries to the CLEF
Good News Fund, 861 S. Church Road, Bensenville,
IL 60106. |
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Q. How is accountability assured?
A. The CLEF Grants Committee stringently monitors all
use of funds and requires detailed documentation from
the school administrators and boards.
Q. Can a gift be designated to a specific school?
A. Yes, as long as general guidelines established by
the CLEF Board are met.
Q. Can a company match a gift to the Good News Fund?
A. Yes.
Q. Can gifts of stock, securities, real estate, life
insurance and other appreciated assets be made to the
Good News Fund?
A. Yes.
Q. Is a gift to the CLEF Good News Fund tax deductible?
A. CLEF is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation. Gifts
are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Contact your advisor. All gifts are acknowledged in
writing with a receipt for tax purposes.
Q. Does the CLEF Good News Fund provide grants to Lutheran
schools outside of Chicago?
A. The CLEF mission and purpose, as currently defined,
is focused on helping Lutheran schools in the city
of Chicago alone. * At some point in the future when
the future of Chicago Lutheran schools is ensured,
CLEF has the freedom to expand its mission beyond Chicago.
That next logical step would be to assist Lutheran
schools throughout greater Chicagoland.
*Walther High School,
in Melrose Park, serves a large area of west Chicago.
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