EDUCATION GRANT APPLICATIONS CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED; DUE JUNE 18

Danville, VA - The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce continues to support education as a cornerstone to the economic success and vitality of the Dan River region with its annual education grant program for Pre-K through 12th grade educators. This year the program received a $125,000 grant from the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) to expand the program to include educators in Caswell County, North Carolina, and enhance the funding so more teachers can receive more sizeable grants. Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation grant applications and guidelines have been mailed to qualifying area educational institutions and may be found online at www.dpchamber.org. Applications are due to the Chamber by June 18, 2010 and must be submitted by a cohort of teachers (two or more) representing an interdisciplinary team, grade level team, across grade level team, or division wide team. Each application must be signed by the applicant and supervisor. Partnerships with educational, community, and business organizations are encouraged.

"We are excited to begin another education grant cycle," commented Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce President Laurie S. Moran, CCE. "This program supports the goals of the Chamber, the Danville Regional Foundation, and area businesses like Goodyear to help ensure educational readiness, in-school achievement and post-secondary success."

The Chamber began the education grant program in 1990 when Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's plant manager Ed Steffey saw classroom needs were not being met through traditional funding sources. Steffey partnered with the Chamber and started a golf tournament from which proceeds were earmarked for the teacher grant initiative. Proceeds from the Goodyear Education 5K race also go toward the program which encourages innovative and creative programs that promote collaboration, communication skills, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. "By hosting two fundraising events, Goodyear continues to help support the financial needs within our educational system that are not being met through traditional funding methods," says Goodyear-Danville Plant Manager Tim Noe. Noe is the Danville plant's 11th manager in its 44-year history.

This year, the Danville Regional Foundation will provide an extra $125,000 in funds for the Chamber's existing program. "We want to encourage teachers to think out of the box and bring creative education programs into their classrooms," said Clark Casteel, DRF Senior Program Officer. "We believe investments in education will not only promote creativity and reward more teachers during an economic recession, but help strengthen the Dan River Region's position when the economy takes a positive turn."

There are no minimum nor maximum monetary limits on the education grant awards. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to submit their best, most creative ideas to the Chamber's Grant Selection Committee.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lynnette Lawson, Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
434-836-6990 or chamber@dpchamber.org