Double Your Money With a Gift to Education
Posted on April 18, 2011
This year, we have the opportunity to receive a $50,000 matching grant from the Kresge Foundation to support an increasingly important piece of our education funding – college access.
If we are successful, we will have a permanent endowment fund of $100,000 dedicated to increasing the number of students that pursue some type of higher education after high school.
Because we feel this work is vital to our community and the amount of the matching grant is significant, we are providing our donors the opportunity to help us meet this goal.
Through strong partnerships with local colleges, school districts and nonprofit organizations, we have created a Local College Access Network to help keep our children on a path to college. Over the past two years, over 9,000 students, parents and educators have participated in a KnowHow2Go event or program.
Below are examples of the work already being done in our county, and the type of programs the College Access Endowment Fund will support. If you make a donation into this fund by August 1, 2011 – it will be matched dollar for dollar!
College Access Fund
$50,000+ Donated
KnowHow2Go SCC
Creating a kindergarten through college pipeline in St. Clair County.
College Access Center
The Center is a resource to high school students and their families for help applying to, and finding ways to pay for, college. Last year the College Access Coordinator conducted over 500 meetings with students and their families in Port Huron. This year, the program was expanded to Algonac and Marine City.
Friday Food For Kids
Partnering with local elementary schools, backpacks filled with food are available for low-income students to take home every Friday, proving much needed food for the weekend.
8th Grade Decision Day
Eighth grade students across the county will participate in this event on the campus of SC4. They will tour the campus, learn about programs and connect with KnowHow2Go resources.
Take Your Child to College Day
The goal of this event is to provide an opportunity for students and parents to tour a university campus, learn about programs and services available and connect with resources to assist with the college-going process. 75 10th grade students and their parents are expected to attend.
Talented Tenth Program
This project aims to prepare a select group of high potential at-risk youth for leadership success in business and community. The Talented Tenth Program is committed to working with young people from St. Clair County’s most vulnerable populations who show an aptitude for professional development and career mobility.
Math and Technology Grants
The Community Foundation recently awarded $50,000 for math and technology grants to every Middle School in the county. These grants were for technology enhancements in the classroom.
Ask-An-Expert Series
Utilizing top quality presenters, these sessions inform students and parents on college-going topics that are often overlooked. Some examples inlcude college options for the art or music student and becoming a college athlete.
College Survival Kits
These kits, which have become very popular with high school students and their parents, help to demystify the college-going process. The kits organize the massive amount of information that is received regarding admission and financial aid deadlines, contact information, timelines and important dates.
