The Durango Education Foundation has presented Durango School District 9-R a check for $114,272, the proceeds from its spring fundraising campaign.
Foundation donations to the district this year, including reserve funds, total $202,023.
Distributions include $11,425 to organizations that support 9-R students and programs.
Core academic courses, art education and travel grants total $52,051. Among the highlights are the first Boys Conference, the underwriting for a reading program shared by eighth-graders at Escalante and Miller middle schools, transportation for the Native American Cultural Literacy program and a new sound system for Riverview Elementary School.
Scholarships totaling $22,500 were given to Durango High School graduates. The awards can range from $1,000 to $10,000.
The foundation stepped up with money to send students to competitions outside the region, including science fairs and a journalism convention. It provided $13,200 to send the DHS Aerospace Design Team to an international competition in Florida.
Arts education in general received $2,500.
Donors who earmarked their money for specific purposes showed a range of choices. A middle school received money for technology, and an elementary school got money for early-childhood education. One donor contributed to a middle school science program for girls.
The largest portion of funding, 69 percent, went for the “most urgent need.” When schools are back in session, officials will decide how to allocate the funds.
The Durango Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity that draws support from donors, 9-R employees, organizations and endowment investments.
daler@durangoherald.com
On the net
To learn more about the Durango Education Foundation visit its website at www.DurangoEducationFoundation.org, send an email to 9RFoundation@gmail.com or call to 385-1491.
