Pictured: Grant recipient Charis Burger with Principal Mike Peake, Mauldin High School.
Credit union doubles the number of grants awarded due to overwhelming number of applications submitted.
Greenville Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of 20, $500 grants to Greenville County Schools teachers as part of its Teacher Grants program, doubling the number of grants originally planned for 2023. The annual grants program is designed to help teachers fund projects or needs within their classrooms for the upcoming school year.
During the summer the credit union received
448 applications, a 474% increase over the previous year. Applications
representing 90 different elementary, middle, high, and special focus schools
across Greenville County were submitted. The grant requests covered a wide
range of projects and needs – from STEAM kits to sheet music, basketballs, and
makerspace supplies.
“When we began to see the significant
increase in applications over last year’s grant cycle, we knew we needed to do
more,” said Paul Hughes, credit union President and CEO. “Teachers in our community are doing all they
can to inspire curiosity and learning in their classrooms. We know these grants
will give them the extra support they need to continue to deliver great lessons
and experiences for their students.”
This year’s grants will be applied to
initiatives across a variety of subject areas including academics, arts,
athletics, student wellness, enrichment, outdoor spaces, and career and
technical education (CTE) programs.
The 2023 Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation Teacher Grant recipients are:
- Michael Parrish, Alexander Elementary School
- Mary McGowan, Berea Elementary School
- Cynthia Brown, Blue Ridge Middle School
- Mattie Mitchell, Blythe Academy
- Renee Covert, Bryson Middle School
- Adam Ezell, Fountain Inn Elementary School
- Grace Eskew, Gateway Elementary School
- Brian Simpson, Golden Strip Career Center
- Taylor Gibson, Greer High School
- Maureen Prince, Hillcrest High School
- Bruce "Dunn" Franco, Lakeview Middle School
- Charis Burger, Mauldin High School
- Brad Johnson, Riverside Middle School
- Erin Camire, Sara Collins Elementary School
- Monica Fite, Sevier Middle School
- Melody Powell, Stone Academy
- Erica McCall, Taylors Elementary School
- Cynthia Brandeis, Travelers Rest High School
- Leila Tyler, Wade Hampton High School
- Kathy Hopkins, Woodmont Middle School
The Teacher Grants program is part of the
Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation which exists to promote local
prosperity by providing grants, educational scholarships, and other funding
support for individuals and non-profit, community-based programs within
Greenville County, SC, with a primary focus on youth and education. The Foundation relies on financial support
from the credit union and through donations from members, business partners,
and the public. Funding is managed through a charitable donation account by the
credit union’s philanthropic partner, Carolina’s Credit Union Foundation, a
501(c)(3), grant-making public foundation supported by the credit union system
in the Carolinas.
For more information about the Greenville Federal Credit Union Foundation and the Teacher Grants program, visit www.greenvillefcu.com/foundation.
About
Greenville Federal Credit Union
Greenville Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial alternative to traditional banking with six branch locations in Greenville County serving more than 33,000 members. The $420 million credit union was founded by nine employees from the School District of Greenville County as an educator’s credit union in 1968. In 2001, the credit union approved a conversion to a community-based charter to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Greenville County. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government, insures all accounts up to $250,000. For more information, please visit the credit union’s website at www.greenvillefcu.com or call 800.336.6309.