Northwest Blog

By Northwest Minnesota Foundation - May 22, 2014

Win-E-Mac Arthur I. & Jane B. Snustad Education Fund

When we learned that Art Snustad had passed away and that his trust was being distributed, we knew that big things were going to happen. We did not realize just how big.

The legacy that Art has left to Win-E-Mac school district amounts to nearly two-and-a-half million dollars that will be invested for the long term through the Foundation. What this means is that for the foreseeable future, Win-E-Mac will have about $45,000 annually to spend for educational programs, projects and activities in the Win-E-Mac schools that encourage, inspire and support student interest in education and preparation for college.

In addition, scholarship dollars totaling over $40,000 each year will be awarded to qualified students who have at least a “B” average upon graduation and have been accepted into a post-secondary institution or program. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years if the student meets the conditions of renewal.

What a legacy one man has left! The power of his philanthropy will be felt for many years to come.

So what about this extraordinary man? You would never have guessed that he had acquired this kind of wealth. He lived very frugally. As is typical of many people who grew up with little money and lived through the great depression, he always worried that he wouldn’t have enough money to live on. So he worked very hard, saved and scrimped.

The thing he valued more than money was education. He believed it to be the key to a successful life. To ensure that his money would be used upon his death to help others obtain a great education, he set up this charitable fund at the Foundation.

Art grew up in Winger and attended the Winger School. He graduated from McIntosh High School in 1939. That obviously made a huge impact on him. Art graduated in 1952, with honors, from the University Of Minnesota Program Of Mortuary Science. With this degree, he was empowered to make a very successful life and career for himself and his family.

If you haven’t already seen it, an article about Art was published in the Foundation’s Resource newsletter.

NMF Development Officer, Lisa Peterson and NMF Chair, Bob Hager attended the Win-E-Mac Scholarship and Awards banquet to award this year's scholarship recipients and to educate the community about the impact of the grants that were given this year.

The music program received $20,030 for band instruments. The school has a large number of students in percussion but many times, students have had to sit out in class or take turns playing, while others always have an instrument available. In addition the wind instruments were in disrepair and in short supply. With the grant, percussion instruments are now available for all players and will be used in both concert band and the marching/pep band. Repairs are being made on school owned instruments so that they will be in playing condition.

Lisa Peterson, Randy Bruer- Win-E-Mac Superintendent, Bob Hager

Another grant for $20,632 was given for new metals shop equipment. Students needed hands on experience in the metals shop setting. They will now have the ability to offer a few new classes that have not been offered in the past and expose students to more vocational options after they graduate high school.

The recipients of the Arthur I and Jane B Snustad Scholarship will each receive a $2,500 scholarship, and be eligible for renewal for up to four years.