The Hudsonville Education Foundation has made a significant impact on Hudsonville Public Schools by awarding an impressive $25,000 in grant funding for the 2024/2025 academic year, marking the highest single-year grant total in the foundation's history.
Recipients of the grant awards and their teams were celebrated during the "welcome back" meeting for all staff in August, fostering a spirit of collaboration and support. This fall, educators began leveraging their grants to acquire essential tools and resources, setting the stage for a successful new school year.
Andy Secor, retired Principal of Jamestown Upper Elementary, Grant Committee Chairman, and Foundation Board Member, emphasized the achievement, stating that nearly every school in the district has received one or more grants, encompassing various academic interests.
This year also witnessed a record-breaking surge in grant applications, both in number and the total funds requested, with thirty-two applications submitted, amounting to $45,944.15.
The Grant Committee, made up of an independent group of former educators, administrators, and community members in partnership with the District Curriculum Office, had the difficult task of reviewing, researching, rating, ranking and ultimately making recommendations to the Hudsonville Education Foundation Board of Directors for approval.
The amount of grant application funding requests grew by an unprecedented 241% over last year. While the Hudsonville Education Foundation has increased grant funding into classrooms by 122% in the last three years, it is clear there is still more important work to be done to support academic opportunities for our students.
"It was a difficult process to narrow it down. The Grant Committee put in tremendous effort. We have talented educators in Hudsonville. We never want to turn down a grant and would encourage educators to apply again," Andy remarked. The 25/26 Grant Application will be open for submissions on January 1, 2025.
