EducationQuest Seeking Grant Applicants

$125,000 recently awarded to five organizations

(LINCOLN Neb. March 28, 2005) – EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, has awarded nearly $125,000 in community grants to five Nebraska organizations – and is seeking applicants for its next grant cycle. EducationQuest’s mission is to improve access to higher education in Nebraska.

EducationQuest awards community grants three times a year to Nebraska nonprofit organizations whose programs enhance college access. The deadlines to submit letters of intent are April 1, August 1 and December 1. A letter of intent should include information about:

• the program including activities that promote college access
• the proposed number of participants including the percentage more likely to attend college due to the program
• the target audience served by the program
• how the organization will evaluate the program and track the participants’ college-going rate.

The letter of intent will determine if an organization should proceed with a full application.

For more information, visit www.educationquest.org/grants.asp, e-mail grants@educationquest.org or call Eric Drumheller at 800.303.3745, ext. 6622.

The five organizations that recently received grants include:

Chicano Awareness Center in Omaha received $25,000 for its Middle School Education Support Program, which provides Latino students and their families with information and activities that will encourage them to pursue college.

Clyde Malone Community Center in Lincoln received $24,859 to support its new Academic Coaching program, which targets low-income and minority middle school students who don’t think college is possible.

Girl Scouts – Homestead Council received $25,000 for its Focus on Your Future! Program, which provides activities that encourage higher education for middle school girls in Richardson, Jefferson and Gage counties.

Journeys in Omaha received $25,000 for its Education Program, which incorporates college and career planning services into its residential drug-treatment program.

University of Nebraska at Omaha received $25,000 for Opening Doors to Construction Education, which informs high school students about the benefits of earning a trade certificate or college degree in the construction field rather than going directly into the workforce.

Since founded in 1998, EducationQuest has awarded over $1.5 million in community grants to Nebraska nonprofit organizations.

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 provides community grants for programs that enhance college access. For more information, call EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, at 800-303-3745 or visit www.educationquest.org.