CAP & GOWN Project Fund

Organization: Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville (Managed for the CAP & GOWN Project)

Mission: Create academic pathways for children from low-income homes through college tours, admissions counseling, and college entrance exam preparation so that 100 percent of students graduate college and guide others wherever needed when students are trained and supported to run their own community service initiatives.

Geographic Scope: Huntsville City Schools and greater Huntsville area, Alabama

Focus Areas:

• College matriculation and preparation
• College campus tours
• Admissions counseling
• College entrance exam preparation
• Student-led community service projects
• Supporting underserved students

Program Background:

• Started by J.O. Johnson High School teacher/wrestling coach Chris Scribner and colleagues Emily Heller and Katharine Martin (2013-2014 school year)
• Over 300 students visited 60+ college campuses since inception
• College scholarship dollars tripled for Johnson students
• College matriculation rate for Johnson graduates increased by 600%

Eligibility:

• Focus on students from low-income homes
• J.O. Johnson High School students and Huntsville City Schools students

Fund Status:

• Founding donor: Jan Smith, CEO of S3, Inc. ($10,000 initial gift)
• Alpha Foundation grant: $25,000
• Total raised: $35,000
• Matching gift available: Out-of-state donor pledged to match up to $250,000 (contingent on raising at least $100,000 from other sources first)

Contact Information:

• Contact: Stuart Obermann, CEO/President
• Phone: 256.535.2065
• Email: stuart@communityfoundationhsv.org
• Website: www.communityfoundationhsv.org
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 332, Huntsville, AL 35804

How to Donate/Support

1. Send check payable to the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County
2. Mail to: P.O. Box 332, Huntsville, AL 35804
3. Write "CAP & GOWN Project Fund" in the memo field
4. Donations are tax-deductible
5. Funds are used to create permanent source of funding for the initiative

Matching Opportunity

• Out-of-state donor will match contributions dollar-for-dollar
• Up to $250,000 in matching funds available
• Minimum $100,000 must be raised from other sources first to unlock matching funds