Mardi Lowry McDonough '87 Student Opportunity Fund & Grant Program

A grant program designed to fund teacher innovation and support projects that directly benefit current and future SCASD students. The program awards grants to educators at all grade levels who develop projects that enhance learning opportunities.

Geographic Scope: State College Area School District (PA)

Focus Areas:

• Science and technology
• Student mental health
• Music and arts
• Extracurricular activities (e.g., Unified Bocce program)
• Classroom equipment
• Student experiences
• "Beyond the budget" expenses

Eligibility:

• Teachers and educators at all grade levels within SCASD

Funding History:

• Most recent cycle (October 2022): 48 grant requests received; nearly $30,000 awarded to more than 30 projects
• Record-breaking round in terms of number of requests and funding amounts
• Grant cycles show increasing requests each year

Recent Project Examples:

• Supplies for middle school Open Mic Night
• Speakers and speaker stand for middle school Rock Band Club live performances
• Environmental pollinator garden project at high school
• Testing calculators for high school students
• Used sousaphone and stand for elementary music
• Multi-lingual classroom materials for ESL students
• Mindfulness materials for kindergarteners
• Robotic building kits for middle schoolers
• Family Book Club materials for elementary students

Background: The fund was established to honor longtime SCASD educator Mardi Lowry McDonough, State High '87, who passed away in June 2020. Proceeds from the annual Maroon & Gray Dinner are directed to this fund.

How to Apply

No specific application details provided in website content. Contact the Education Foundation for application procedures and deadlines.

Contact Information:

• Executive Director: Paul Olivett
• Phone: (814) 883-8067
• Email: paul@scasdfoundation.org
• Address: 240 Villa Crest Drive, State College, PA 16801