With shrinking, or, in some cases, nonexistent budgets, local school teachers are finding themselves with fewer resources to plan special projects or take field trips.
Stephanie Wolf, president and CEO of the Solano Community Foundation, knows what a $500 grant means to a local school teacher. That money can be used to fund special projects in math, science, literacy, history or fine arts, or go toward a field trip that will allow students a hands-on experience outside the classroom.
Since 2000, the SCF has distributed more than $218,000 to 499 teachers countywide through the Education Plus! Mini-Grant Program. The program, which grants up to $500 to public school teachers, grades kindergarten through 12, has allowed children in almost 500 classrooms to attend arts performances, participate in field trips and receive special instruction in their classrooms from artists, scientists, authors and other role models.
But late last month, with only $2,000 in the fund, it looked as if very few teachers would get the chance to receive a grant and provide an enrichment opportunity for their students.
Due to the flagging economy, the foundation had been turned down for donations by a lot of people, many of them previous donors, saying, in essence, "We wish we could, but we just can't right now," according to Wolf.
"We were a bit disheartened. But we kept talking it up and talking it up, and the community really stepped up," she said.
A recent $10,000 donation by MV Transportation started a chain reaction for the foundation.
When word got to managers at the Harry and Eleanor D. Nelson Endowment Fund, its board donated another $10,000 for the program. Donations of $1,000 also trickled in from Copart and Westamerica Bancorp, among others.
"Our company is really based on community service," said Nikki Frenney, spokesperson for MV Transportation. "They saw a need in the community."
Frenney said MV Transportation was aware that the foundation was having a difficult time raising money given the current state of the economy.
"Whenever we can, whenever we're in a position to reach out, we do," Frenney said.
Supporting education is one of the company's priorities, she noted.
The recent influx of donations has also qualified the foundation for a $10,000 matching grant from the Frank H. and Eva B. Buck Foundation.
Out of 133 applications, the foundation awarded 59 grants for a total of $26,617 last year.
The foundation is still accepting donations for the mini-grant program, Wolf said.
"I say this every year and I continue to say this, but a public school teacher can do wonderful things with $500," she said.
Applications for Education Plus! Mini-Grants are available now. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Sept. 30. Applications may be faxed to 399-3849; e-mailed to: scfadmin@solanocf.org with a signed PDF attachment; or hand-delivered or mailed to 1261 Travis Blvd., suite 320, Fairfield, CA 94533.
Grant applications will be reviewed by the foundation's grants committee and awarded in mid-November for projects to start later this year or in early 2010.