(December 2020) – CFWNC recently awarded just over $86,000 in educational grants to WNC schools through the Learning Links grant program and the Leon C. and Grace E. Luther Charitable Fund for Andrews, NC.
Typically, Learning Links offers grants up to $800 per classroom to public school teachers to provide experiential learning projects in Avery, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford and Swain counties. Due to a decrease in requests resulting from the pandemic, 27 requests were funded, a decrease of more than a third. Remaining grant program funds supported proactive grants for schools and teachers.
The proactive grants include:
$1,605 to Jackson Community School for integrated literacy and healthful living programs.
$3,000 to Marjorie Williams Academy in Avery County to purchase a SMART board.
$9,000 to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy in Rutherford County to provide academic support for at-risk students by retaining a math and reading interventionist.
$25,000 to W.A.M.Y. Community Action to continue to provide free childcare at three Avery County Schools.
“The need to support teachers and students has never been greater,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “Teachers, especially, were tasked with a quick transition to remote learning and addressing student needs in an unprecedented learning environment. CFWNC is pleased to provide additional resources that we hope will enhance student and family experiences while relieving some of the burden placed on educators.”
Learning Links grants are made possible by the Ben W. and Dixie Glenn Farthing Charitable Fund, the Cherokee County Schools Endowment Fund and the Fund for Education.