Officials with the Sioux Falls chapter of DAR include (clockwise from upper left: Bert Olson, president of Foundation Board; Kim Euker, chapter regent; Judy Goetz, chairman of Grants Committee, and Diane Josephson, past regent.
Education Foundation programs received a significant boost recently from the Sioux Falls chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation, which is affiliated with the Sioux Falls Mary Chilton DAR Chapter, granted the Education Foundation $15,000 for its two primary programs.
The Education Foundation’s programs fit nicely with DAR’s interest in promoting education, said Judy Goetz,who chairs the DAR Foundation Grants Committee.
The Education Foundation Board members welcome the financial help from DAR. “It is a perfect partnership since both of our organizations have education as a key focus,” said Stephanie Gongopoulos, who chairs the Education Foundation Board.
The Education Foundation will use the money to increase its Beyond Book grants, which help first-time teachers buy supplies for their classrooms. The grant amount will be increased for the 2017-2018 school year from a current level of $100 per teacher to $200. The rest of the money from DAR will be used for the educational organization’s Innovation in Education grant program. Innovation in Education grants are designed to help fund creative educational projects that are not covered by tax dollars.
DAR awards approximately $100,000 in grants per year, primarily in southeastern South Dakota. In addition to education, historical preservation and patriotism are causes valued by DAR.
“We want an educated citizenry. This is a way to move in that direction,” said Diane Josephson, past regent of the local DAR chapter.
To read all of the articles in the latest edition of the Foundation Newsletter, click to download your copy. SFPSEF Newsletter – August 2017.