Some news from the Branch County Community Foundation:
The Branch County Community Foundation (BCCF) held Educational Mini Grant Cycles in April for Bronson, Coldwater, and Quincy Schools, granting out a total of $13,348.13 for 19 different programs and projects.
The Yes for Bronson Fund, the Coldwater Community Schools Enrichment Fund, and the Quincy Educational Endowment fund were all created to support programs and initiatives that promote excellence in education and high achievement with the goal of expanding and diversifying experiences.
In January of 2020, the Yes for Bronson Schools Fund was able to move from a designated fund to an Endowment Fund to be able to provide support for Bronson Schools for years to come. The fund was created to financially supplement Bronson Community Schools and its K-12 students in their preparation for life by improving technology, transportation, and educational facilities in the school district. After a generous donation from the Ratkowski Family Fund in early 2021, the Yes for Bronson Schools Fund held its first mini grant cycle this past April. The committee was excited to award $1,000 out of the fund for Family Art and Literacy Bags in the Elementary Schools!
The Coldwater Community Schools Enrichment Fund offers teachers opportunities to provide additional academic enrichment or enhancement programs to their students. The Enrichment fund awarded grants to projects such as new classroom microscopes, woodworking and 3D printing materials, and Spikeball for gym class.
This year, there was additional funding available from a Donor Advised Fund, the Rosenberg Family Endowment Fund. The Rosenberg Family Endowment Fund supported additional funding for percussion instruments to Lakeland Elementary, and also funded a project for new sound system equipment for the Legg Middle School and Coldwater High School Bands. The total amount granted out to Coldwater teachers and staff was $4,176.92 for 9 different projects.
The Quincy Educational Endowment Fund offers teachers an opportunity to provide additional academic enrichment or enhancement programs to their students. This year, the committee was able to fully fund all nine projects that applied for funding, totaling $5,671.21! These projects include flexible seating options for a third-grade classroom, new weighted medicine balls for high school gym classes, new safety goggles and other supplies for a fifth-grade science room, and art display easels for the elementary art class.
Educational Mini Grant Cycles are held once a year from April 1 through April 30. Each fund has its own criteria and selection committee for the mini grant cycle, and donations to the funds are welcomed year-round. To learn more about each Mini Grant Cycle, visit the Community Foundation’s website at www.BrCoFoundation.org.
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