Central Lutheran begins campaign

Central Lutheran School (CLS), a pre-K through eighth grade school in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, has announced the launch of a national fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $450,000. They kicked off the campaign with the premier of a new fundraising video (www.clssp.org/give).

For more than 130 years, Central Lutheran School has been a cornerstone of faith and Christian education in St. Paul. During that time, the school has seen many changes, but none so dramatic as over the past decade. With a declining economy and changing demographics the school is significantly different than it once was. At one time, CLS relied on tuition to meet its needs. Today, roughly 80% of CLS students receive some form of financial aid and more than half receive free or reduced price lunches.

As a result, CLS has transformed into a mission-based school, with a diverse population that includes students from Eritrea, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Laos. Through scholarships and other financial aid, students who come to CLS are rarely turned away because of financial need.

Funds raised by the national campaign will make it possible for CLS to continue its mission by helping retire debt and build a strong foundation for the future. The school is also transitioning to a new sustainable financial model in which monthly donations will form a base of support. The goal is to raise $20,000 per month in recurring gifts.