(LINCOLN Neb. March 22, 2004) - Lincoln-based EducationQuest Foundation, with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska, has awarded nearly $86,000 in community grants to five organizations whose programs enhance college access.

Lincoln Action Program received $30,000 to support Lincoln Education Outreach, a program that helps at-risk youth complete high school and enroll in college. The program provides weekly tutoring, monthly enrichment activities, monthly parent support groups and workshops, quarterly college and worksite tours, and ongoing counseling.

Clarkson College in Omaha received $26,340 to support Project HEAL: Health Education Access Ladder. This program will educate minority students about health career opportunities through the establishment of Health Science "Academies" at schools with a high minority enrollment; workshops for nontraditional students; and health care career education activities for all program participants.

The City of Lincoln received $19,800 for its Lincoln Initiative for Tutoring program at the F Street and Air Park Recreation Centers. LIFT provides students in grades 6-9 with one-on-one tutoring, mentors, college planning opportunities, career exploration workshops, and college visits – all with the goal of achieving a significant increase in the number of low-income, minority, and refugee youth attending college.

Nebraska Teachers World – an early teacher recruitment program for Nebraska students - received $4,900 to help fund the 2004 Nebraska Teachers World summer camp at Wayne State College. The weeklong camp, which targets high school juniors and seniors, encourages students to become creative teachers and leaders, and focuses on the importance of postsecondary education.

North Star High School in Lincoln received $4,850 to support African-American Empowerment – a course designed to increase the probability that African-American males will enroll in postsecondary education. The program will offer a semester-long course that will address risk factors that inhibit African-American males from academic achievement.

Since founded in 1998, EducationQuest has awarded over $1.2 million in community grants to Nebraska nonprofit organizations.

"We're pleased to support Nebraska non-profit organizations whose programs help Nebraskans achieve their educational goals, and we encourage eligible organizations to apply for an EducationQuest grant," said EducationQuest President Liz Fieselman.

Organizations interested in applying for an EducationQuest grant can view Community Grants guidelines in the Community Agency section at www.EducationQuest.org, or contact Community Relations Director Eric Drumheller at 800.303.3745, ext. 6622 for more information. Deadlines to submit letters of intent are April 1, August 1 and December 1.

EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. Through a permanent endowment, EducationQuest provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; and supports community organizations that enhance college access. For more information, call EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, at 800-303-3745 or visit www.EducationQuest.org.