(LINCOLN Neb. November 15, 2004) – EducationQuest Foundation is accepting community grant applications from Nebraska nonprofit organizations whose programs increase the likelihood that participants will attend college.

Interested organizations should submit a letter of intent by December 1 for the next grant cycle. EducationQuest also accepts letters of intent April 1 and August 1.

EducationQuest, a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska, annually disburses approximately $375,000 to eligible Nebraska organizations. For details, visit www.educationquest.org/grants.asp, or contact Eric Drumheller at 402-479-6622 or 800-303-3745.

In October, EducationQuest awarded over $130,000 in community grants to these organizations:

Camp Fire USA Midlands Council in Omaha received $29,780 to support its Action Pact South program, which focuses on minority students from Bryan Middle School, Bryan High School and South High School. The program promotes academic enrichment, career development and community involvement.

Central Community College received $30,000 for its Bridge Program, which "bridges" the school's English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education and General Education Development programs to build students' academic skills. The program benefits many first-generation Americans trying to improve their lives through education.

College of St. Mary received $10,000 for its Latina Summer Academy. During this weeklong program, 50 tenth-grade Latina students stay on the college campus and experience hands-on enrichment activities that will help guide them toward college and a career.

Kearney Public Schools received $11,500 for Paw PRIDE, an after-school program at Horizon and Sunrise Middle Schools. This program expects to improve the college-going rate for low-income, first-generation middle school students.

Nebraska Appleseed Center for the Law in Public Interest in Lincoln received $15,500 for its Access to Higher Education for Welfare Recipients Outreach Campaign. This program will inform Nebraska welfare families, community agencies and colleges about the higher education component of the Employment First program.

Southeast Community College in Lincoln received $17,343 for its Newcomers Educational Center. This program provides adult English as a Second Language students with a "preview" of college programs that prepares them for coursework, helps them determine if the program is appropriate for them, and gives them access to campus services that will help them succeed.

Western Nebraska Community College received $20,000 to support the Guadalupe Center After-School Program for low-income middle school students - most from Latino and Native American families who seldom see college as an option. The program helps students and families prepare for college while increasing their understanding and comfort level with college.

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.