February's column "Going Corporate" discussed ideas for approaching private foundations for funding. Some districts take this idea several steps further by partnering with the community and local businesses to establish a not-for-profit foundation, or local education foundation (LEF). It probably comes as no surprise that the idea of forming a LEF appears to be more popular during tight economic times, but is it worth the time and effort required to get something like this off the ground? This article gives a quick overview of what a LEF is and how it can provide supplemental funds.