About Us

Synergy & Leadership Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration to advance the development of ethical citizens, providing educational resources, and celebrating achievement and best practices in Minnesota schools, businesses and communities.

Synergy is a membership organization that asks members to commit to actively advocate for and create school cultures that value academic achievement while supporting the development of the whole person. It seeks to provide expanded opportunities for students to excel while supporting teachers, schools and classrooms in this work. In addition to membership fees, donations, service revenues and earnings from several endowments, Synergy raises funds and in-kind contributions to underwrite its work of fostering collaboration with business, family, community and faith organizations for the development of ethical citizens, facilitating student and educator recognition programs and supporting academic enrichment opportunities.

Our Mission
To foster collaboration, provide resources and celebrate achievement.

Our Vision
To help Minnesotans be their best.

Become a Member/Donor

Your Membership and Donation Matters

Recognition can be a powerful motivator for continued success! Synergy & Leadership Exchange members and donors play an important role in supporting the recognition of outstanding educators, coaches, students and character development. Join us in celebrating excellence through the Gathering of Champions, Minnesota Schools of Character and Promising Practices Awards, and the Minnesota Ethical Leadership Awards.

Support Today!

Donors & Members Receive

Recognition on the Synergy website
Opportunity to share your school/organization news and upcoming events on the Synergy website and other social media outlets
Email broadcasts of upcoming events, contests and workshops
Certificate of appreciation/membership

Thank you to our members, donors and event sponsors!

Ameriprise Financial
Austin, Ricky (Aim Higher Foundation)
Best Prep
Blaze Credit Union
Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Booth, Stephen
Bostrom, Matthew
Carlson, Kathy
Carmody, Cliff
Coauette, Chad
Cologne Academy
Community of Peace Academy
ComMUSICation
Continental Mathematics League
Demaray, Lyman & Judi
Duluth Edison Charter School, North Star Academy
Eret, Marlee
FM Area Foundation
Franklin Covey Education
Friends of MAEF of Central MN Community Foundation
Global Minnesota (Classroom Connection)
Goossens, Rebecca
Grabowska, Jim
Hydrostat Inc.
Hustvedt, Ron Jr.
Lakes Country Service Cooperative
Laporte Elementary School
Lessman, Mark & Tamara
Mall of America
Math Masters
Minneapolis Foundation/Technology & Innovations Corporation Fund
Minnesota Future City Competition
Minnesota Future Problem Solving Program
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth
Minnesota Science Olympiad (Div B)
Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Minnesota School Boards Association
Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School
Minnesota Zoo
National History Day in Minnesota
National Insurance Services
Nickelodeon Universe® - Mall of America
Northfield High School
Otis, Todd
Resource Training & Solutions
Rochester Area Foundation
Rohlfing, Steve "Gump"
Roseville Area High School
Ruiz, Priscilla
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Salverda, Don
School Chess Association
Sourcewell
South Central Service Cooperative
Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative
St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation
The Minnesota Service Cooperatives
The Inner Hero
Wadd, Kari
Wall, Steve & Wanda Sommers
WordMasters Challenge
Waseca Area Learning Center
YMCA Center for Youth Voice

Volunteer

Synergy & Leadership Exchange invites you to volunteer with us! Volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities and we look forward to finding an activity that matches your interest. Below are a few of the programs in which you may be interested. Additional information on these and other programs can be found on their respective program page.

Volunteer Now

Complete the online form and a staff member will be in contact with you.

Gathering of Champions

The Gathering of Champions honors Minnesota’s Academic All-Stars the first Friday of August at the Mall of America. Volunteers help with check-in and assisting All-Stars and their guests.

Minnesota Ethical Leadership Awards Blue Ribbon Panel

This award recognizes the development of good character and ethical leadership in Minnesota community organizations. Volunteers are needed to evaluate applications. The panel convenes in February/March.

Minnesota State Schools of Character Evaluators

Volunteers with experience in schools and an understanding of character education are needed to read and score applications for the Minnesota Schools of Character program. Evaluation takes place in December/early January. Training provided.

Minnesota Promising Practices Awards Evaluators

Volunteers with experience in schools and an understanding of character education are needed to read and score Minnesota Promising Practices applications. Evaluation takes place during February.