Excellence in Education funds over $250,000 in classroom grants, resources, and partnerships to benefit students and teachers annually within the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. The grant-giving program is supported by the Foundation’s annual fundraising efforts that include Dining for Schools, Golfing for Schools, Skiing for Schools, Endowment Fund interest, as well as by corporate and individual donations.

Grant monies support programs that are specifically designed to promote student interest in learning, to give students hands-on learning experiences, and to encourage quality academic performance.

"I have been teaching since 2006, and in that time, I've never seen a foundation support teachers as much as I have with Excellence in Education. It really is remarkable to have a partner in education like that." -- Jason Flesock, a teacher at North Tahoe High School 

BY THE NUMBERS

A quick look at some of the Foundation’s most significant contributions through June 2023:

• $50,000 to expand a program using social works in the schools to support student wellness.
• $80,000 to assist Tahoe Truckee Unified School District to purchase an additional 300 Chromebooks during distance learning
• $10,000 for WiFi HotSpots to aid student connectivity during distance and hybrid learning. 
• $370,000 for the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District in support of the 1:1 Chromebook program
• Multi-year $10,000 - $20,000 annual contribution to Aim High, an academic middle school summer program
• Multi-year $10,000 annual contribution to fund the Boys & Girls Club for expansion of on-campus after-school programs
• $17,800 for Link Crew and Breaking Down the Walls programming at the high schools
• $152,000 to the Forest-Fire Project, a partnership between Sierra Watershed Education Partnership (SWEP) and Sierra Nevada Arts Council

Students in every school within the district have benefited from these grants, and the Foundation continually seeks to balance its grant-giving in three ways:

• Funding at all grade levels
• Funding at all school sites
• Funding for all academic disciplines

SELECTION CRITERIA

A complete outline of selection criteria and guidelines are included on the grant application, however, the basic selection criteria include:

• The degree of curriculum enhancement in an area of demonstrated need
• The degree of the project/program that directly engages students
• The longevity of the project/program without requiring additional funds
• The number of youth directly/indirectly involved, and,
• How can the project/program measure its success through objective or subjective means?