Leader Valley Announces $500,000 Matching Funds from Penaluna Family Foundation During Leader in Me Week

WATERLOO, IA — October 2, 2024 — Leader Valley is excited to announce a remarkable opportunity to further its mission of cultivating leadership throughout the Cedar Valley. The organization has received access to $500,000 in matching funds, generously provided by the Penaluna Family Foundation. Every donation made to Leader Valley will be matched, and gifts over $2,000 will be double-matched. Leader Valley has one year from today’s announcement to capitalize on these matching dollars, which will significantly boost its efforts in schools, businesses, and beyond.

Tom Penaluna, chairman of CBE Companies and Founder of the Penaluna Family Foundation, passionately voiced his support for Leader Valley, stating,

“Leader Valley is revolutionizing the Cedar Valley by equipping students- regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic background- with transformative leadership skills through the Leader in Me program. These life-changing skills are not only shaping brighter futures for our students but are also laying the foundation for a new generation of empowered community leaders who will drive the Cedar Valley forward.”

For 12 years, Leader Valley has been dedicated to developing the Cedar Valley’s next generation of leaders. This match opportunity from the Penaluna Family Foundation will allow Leader Valley to continue serving existing Leader in Me students while expanding its leadership development programs into more schools and businesses.

Melissa Reade, Executive Director of Leader Valley, shared her enthusiasm:

“This matching gift arrives at an incredible moment for Leader Valley. As we celebrate the leadership journey of our students during Leader in Me Week, we are also energized by the opportunity to expand the reach of leadership within Cedar Valley schools. The Penaluna Family Foundation’s support ensures we continue to grow the Cedar Valley’s leaders both in schools and workplaces.”

This announcement comes during Leader in Me Week, taking place from September 30th to October 4th. This special week celebrates the impact of leadership development across the 31 Leader in Me schools in 9 Cedar Valley districts, where 12,236 students are developing essential leadership skills this school year.

Leader in Me is a school-based initiative that empowers students to set and achieve goals, take ownership of their learning, participate in decision-making, and serve in leadership roles. These experiences foster crucial employability skills like teamwork, time management, responsibility, and communication—equipping students for future success in the workforce.

Beyond schools, Leader Valley is extending its reach into workplaces across the Cedar Valley. Recently, the organization launched Elevate Leadership Academy, an 8-month leadership development cohort designed for mid to upper-level leaders in the business community. This new program is a testament to Leader Valley’s ongoing commitment to nurturing leadership at every level within the Cedar Valley—from classrooms to boardrooms.

Leader Valley encourages all Cedar Valley residents and businesses to support this vital work. Every dollar donated will be matched, and gifts over $2,000 will be double-matched, providing a unique opportunity to maximize your impact.

To learn more about Leader Valley and to contribute to their mission, visit www.leadervalley.org.

About Leader Valley

Leader Valley is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education and preparing students for success in life and work. By partnering with PreK-12 schools, Leader Valley integrates leadership principles, including Dr. Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” into the school culture, fostering leadership development at all levels. Through the Leader in Me initiative, students acquire essential life skills and the mindset needed for academic and leadership success. Learn more at www.leadervalley.org.

Categorised in: News

This post was written by Website Creator