Foundation gives $40,000 to St. Charles schools

A St. Charles nonprofit group has awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to local schools for programs, projects and new equipment, officials announced this week.

The latest giving brings the Greater St. Charles Education Foundation's fundraising total to nearly $1 million since its inception in 1992.

This year, there were 17 grants altogether. Officials said the money will be used for software, college testing programs and video and sound equipment to build a television station in District 303. Others included grants for new musical instruments and theater costs.

"Because of the extraordinary generosity of corporate and community sponsors, the foundation is able to fund proposals that represent a broad range of educational initiatives for students in all age groups and with varied interests and needs," foundation president Bob Walters said in a news release.

The foundation awards money for grants, educational honoraria and college scholarships. Fifty-one requests totaling more than $250,000 were made this year, with the foundation selecting 17 through a "blind review" process. The foundation puts an emphasis on projects that aren't funded through conventional methods.

For a complete list, visit stceducation.com.