The Georgia Foundation for Public Education has launched the Rural Education Fund to help provide grants to rural schools and districts in need of additional funding to meet their students' needs.
Last week, the foundation announced a limited number of grants, up to $5,000 each, that are available.
"We're providing these grants because we know that rural school districts face unique challenges and resource gaps," said Paige Pushkin, GFPE Executive Director, in a statement. "Through the application process, schools will have the flexibility to identify their area of greatest need and show us how their proposed project would make an impact on students. Ultimately, the goal of this funding is to support improved educational outcomes for students."
Any school district located in a Georgia county with a population of 35,000 or less is eligible to apply for a grant through the fund, according to a news release. All applicants must propose a project that would solve a current challenge within the school or district and would lead to positive student outcomes.
Upson County Schools was selected as a pilot recipient of a Rural Education Fund grant in 2017, and used the funds to strengthen the district's STEM programming.
"As a recipient of the Rural Education Fund grant, we have been able to equip teachers with the knowledge to deliver quality instruction that will inspire students to be innovative and effective problem solvers," said Jenna Dunaway, assistant principal at Upson-Lee Primary School, in a statement. "Our participation in the Rural Education Fund program has allowed us to provide equal access to all students to the skills that will assist them in becoming productive citizens."
Grant recipients will be notified by August 30, 2018. To apply for a Rural Education Fund grant, Georgia educators can visit: https://gfpe.org/home-page/apply-for-a-grant.