The City Schools Foundation distributed a record setting $106,000 in grants to Murfreesboro City School teachers. The Foundation asks educators to submit proposals for funding that will help acquire resources for classrooms not ordinarily provided by taxpayer dollars. Grants are submitted anonymously and are judged solely on their merit by a committee. Over 120 grants were submitted for consideration.

“Reading and scoring the grants is one of the most rewarding jobs as a foundation board member,” says David Scott, grant committee chair. “Thanks to the support of our sponsors and other foundations, this is the first year that we were able to fund over $100,000 in grants, which was incredible. It is inspiring to see how educators are utilizing these grant dollars to enrich the education of students.”

Forty-five grants, representing 12 schools and the district, were selected for funding, and ranged from $121 for Science Support to $17,854 for Music. Grants averaged $2,355 in disbursements in 2023.  

To date, The City Schools Foundation has given over $1.2 million. This year, the overarching theme requests consisted of STEM based programs, music enhancement and social emotional support. The City Schools Foundation through the Nissan Foundation funded materials for robotics earlier in the year.

“The works of this foundation reminds me of a quote from Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world,’” says Dr. Trey Duke, Director of Schools. “From its inception, the undisputable purpose of the individuals who have served on the foundation board has been, and continues to be, to serve the students and teachers of Murfreesboro.”