*Special Announcement: Due to the unpredictability and unique challenges presented during this time of global pandemic, the Westonka District #277 Foundation will not be doing our annual fund drive and school grant programs in the Fall of 2020. We do plan to continue the Gillespie Memorial and Colonel Brown scholarship programs this Spring of 2021. Westonka District #277 Foundation: bringing ideas to life by awarding over $180,000 in grants to programs, retreats, and projects in the Westonka Schools as well as over $150,000 in scholarships. Based on the philosophy that we believe an excellent education provides inspiration for lifelong learning and is the richest heritage we can give our children, Westonka District #277 Foundation is dedicated to its mission of enhancing student opportunities in Westonka Schools.
The Foundation began in 1995 with the purpose of providing funding for learning experiences and projects that did not receive funding from the general school district budget. The Foundation also administers and awards scholarships through designated funds from generous community members and Mound Westonka alumni. Colonel Brown Scholarship Bill Brown, a graduate of Mound High School in 1938, was an active member of his high school class, participating in the chorus, band, orchestra, class play and yearbook. He was also on the basketball team and was a cheerleader. Bill went on to have a distinguished career in the military, joining the U.S. Army in 1941 and serving as a pilot in both WWII and the Korean War. He earned 23 awards during his military career and was promoted to Colonel in 1969. Col. Brown passed away on Sept. 30, 2015 and in his will, he generously gifted this community $1.3 million to go toward student scholarships. In 2018, the Westonka District #277 Foundation awarded the inaugural Colonel William Brown Scholarship to Jessie Cai and Brandon Ung. In 2019, the Foundation awarded five Colonel William Brown Scholarships and in 2020 it awarded four Col. Brown scholarships. Seniors graduating in June of 2021 are encouraged to apply for this scholarship beginning in January of 2021. Applicants will be able to apply online and via U.S. Postal mail. Please see the "Col. Brown Scholarship Application" tab to the left for details on how to apply when the application opens. Grant Application and Grant Evaluation Information
Please consider applying for a grant application in the Fall of 2021 to provide learning experiences for Westonka students. Recipients are selected based on educational value; numbers of learners impacted; availability of other sources of funding; and demonstrated need for the project. The grant application calendar varies from year to year. Grant applications for the 2021-2022 school year will be due in late September 2021. Grantees will be notified of successful applications by late October 2020. Teachers and staff will be notified via email of the deadlines. Applications may be mailed in via the instructions found under the "Grant Application" tab to the left or submitted via our online form.
Examples of Grants Awarded:
Grants are Not Limited to Just Teachers: Anyone with a project that provides an opportunity for learning is eligible to apply. Besides the schools, grants have been awarded to the Special Education Advisory Board, the Westonka Healthy Community Collaborative, and the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with MWHS art students. See the "Grant Application" tab above left for eligibility requirements, how to apply and a list of previous grants awarded.
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