Rockefeller Education Fund To Build Aspirations
Through Scholarships And Partnerships

James and Marilyn Rockefeller of Camden have established a fund at the Maine Community Foundation offering residents of Knox, Waldo and Washington Counties “An Opportunity to…?”

The goal of the Rockefeller Education Fund is two-part: to build aspirations of K-12 students by partnering with schools in the three counties and to encourage residents under the age of 35 to pursue their passion for post-secondary learning, wherever it takes them, through a scholarship program.

“A lifetime is not much time to fulfill one’s dreams,” the Rockefellers note;
“Education and experience are good stepping stones to that goal.”

School-related grants from the Rockefeller Education Fund are intended to inspire teachers at K-12 schools in the three counties to commit to planning and implementing innovative projects that will build the aspirations of their students. “The project could involve a particular class or the entire student body,” said Jean Warren, MaineCF scholarship manager. “It might be a one-time opportunity that a teacher has always wanted to try,” she said, “or it might involve a longer-term commitment to contract with an outside organization that specializes in aspirations work.” Applications from individual teachers and school systems will be accepted for grants up to $15,000 per year. Grants may be renewed twice, but the committee expects that the school/district will become a financial partner in subsequent years.

Scholarship awards from the fund will support residents who are serious about learning and have a plan to achieve their goal. Whether that plan includes a two- or four-year college or a less traditional learning environment is up to the applicant. It is “An Opportunity to…?” Application deadlines are May 15 & December 1, 2008. For complete guidelines and applications Knox, Waldo, Washington or call 1-877-700-6800.

An advisory committee will oversee the fund. Members are Alan Furth, executive director, Cobscook Community Learning Center; Susan Inman, principal, Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School; Carole Martin, former executive director, Youthlinks; Cathy Melio, education director, Center for Maine Contemporary Art; Woody Moore, health coordinator, MSAD 5; Patty Neptune, Maine Indian Education liaison for Calais and Shead high schools; and Marilyn Rockefeller.