FOUNDATION MINI-GRANTS
The foundation provides Van Buren County School teachers with an opportunity to apply for a $450 classroom “mini-grant” for projects they deem necessary, but ones the district has no funds to supply. Every year, approximately $4,000 is donated through the mini-grants and more than $54,000 has been given to the district this way since 1995.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The foundation currently manages four scholarships:
Gene Strait Memorial Scholarship: Every year, the foundation gives three $1225 scholarships to a Van Buren County School senior. One is devoted to music and the other two are general education scholarships. See the Van Buren County Counselor to apply.
Hargrove Scholarship: In memory of Mary Eleanor Hargrove, this scholarship is for $1000 to be given to an Ottumwa High School student involved in music programs. Mary Eleanor was a graduate of Ottumwa High School.
Since the scholarships began, more than $46,000 has been given to Van Buren and Ottumwa High School graduates.
HARD-BOUND DICTIONARIES
• Partnering with the Keosauqua Lions Club to give each sixth-grader a hard-bound dictionary
SPECIAL K-4 MATH AND READING FUND
• Every year, between $350 and $500 is given to a particular K-4 class, geared to either math or reading projects.