Creating Brighter Futures Through Educational Excellence
Linn-Mar School Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to helping Iowa's Linn-Mar Community School District have quality education.
Our mission is to provide ongoing financial support to the district, ensuring students have access to the best educational opportunities possible.
Since 1985, we have been significantly improving the lives of students and educators in our community through the help of dedicated supporters and generous donations. Our rapidly growing school district now serves over 7,500 students in 12 schools.
Funding Educational Programs and Tools
Our primary focus is on three key areas: scholarships, classroom grants, and special projects. We proudly offer scholarships to deserving students, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.
Our classroom grants program supports innovative teaching methods and resources, ensuring the highest quality education for our students by utilizing the following:
- Music and Literacy Enrichment Programs
- Innovative Classroom Tools and Technology
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Initiatives
- New and Emerging Curriculum and Underserved Curriculum Areas
We also have special projects, such as facility improvements and technology upgrades, to enhance the educational experience in the Linn-Mar Iowa School District.
Board of Trustees and Staff
Linn-Mar School Foundation is governed by dedicated and passionate community leaders and volunteers. They work tirelessly to ensure our continued success and growth.
Our professional staff members manage the day-to-day operations, fundraising efforts, and program administration.
Board of Directors
Board President - Amanda Wendling (Grit Capital)
Amanda Wendling has spent her career focused on growth. As the head of marketing for an accounting firm, not only did she oversee organic growth within the marketing department, but she also worked closely with the shareholders on merger and acquisition strategy. This experience led her to Grit in 2017.
What started as a consulting firm (Grit Capital) focused on the acquisition of privately-held companies quickly grew to include a unique marketing consulting practice – Grit Marketing. As the leader of Grit Marketing, Amanda specializes in helping clients bring their strategic plans to life. Amanda has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, marketing, branding, strategic planning, internal communication, and crisis communication. As an activator, Amanda can often be found asking the question 'what’s the next step?’.
Amanda is excited to serve as the Linn-Mar Foundation Board President so she can bring her passion for growth to our mission. As a mom of two Linn-Mar students and a champion of all, she is passionate about building the community in which she wants to live. She gives to the Foundation for her kids and all their friends who often feel like family.
Amanda received a B.A. in Advertising from Iowa State University. She is the owner of Grit Marketing, and Board Member for the Indian Creek Nature Center & Linn Mar School Foundation. Amanda is passionate about the color turquoise, writing, music, and running. She lives in Marion, Iowa with her husband, Andy, and two littles, Nora (11) and Weston (9).
Board Treasurer - Sarah Peters (United Way of East Central Iowa)
Board Secretary – Karol Shepherd (Community Volunteer)
Brandon Marsh – Vice President
Board of Trustees
Kallie Herink
(FSB) Past President
Adam Calcara
Hills Bank & Trust
Brittany Barnhart
Freedom Festival Foundation
Cari Foss
Collins Aerospace
Katie Lueken
Aegon Asset Management
Katie Sleeper
Skogman Realty
Kim-Suddendorf
Rayser Holdings
Lesley Vancura
Skogman Realty
Mackenzie Maxedon
Collins Aerospace
Mary Sult
University of Northern Iowa
Rob Myers
Savant Wealth Management
Shawn Keating
Trading Grounds
Sally Wiley
Level 10 Apparel
Staff and Ex-Officio Members
Kari Elhard
Executive Director
Sheri McCormick
Foundation Associate
Amy Kortemeyer
Linn-Mar District Superintendent
Reach Out to Us
Join our community of supporters in making a difference for the Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa.
Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about our programs and mission, your involvement will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students and their future success.