Who We Are

The Belton Educational Foundation is designated 501 (c) (3) public charity that is supported by local businesses and individuals, alumni, and the staff of the Belton School District #124.

Our Mission

The Foundation’s mission is to provide supplemental funds to enhance educational opportunities that align with the District’s Strategic Plan. The Foundation awards grants to teachers twice a year and offers scholarships to graduating seniors.

Classroom Grants

The Belton Educational Foundation will be awarding its first round of 2008 grants to teachers in May. Through the generosity of donors, The Belton Educational Foundation awarded almost $25,000 worth of grants in December, bringing the total amount of grants the foundation awarded in 2007 to approximately $50,000. In December, the Belton Educational Foundation agreed to fund ten projects across the district that will improve the educational experience students of the Belton School District receive.

December Grant Awards:

• Kentucky Trails - to purchase music software that will allow students to work at their own pace as they learn to understand and create music.
• Hillcrest - grant will provide the materials needed to offer “ABC Nights” to the families of kindergarteners. “ABC Nights” will be held quarterly at Hillcrest and will offer families the opportunity to practice literacy and math skills while spending quality time together as a family in a fun environment.
• Grace EECE - to implement a literacy backpack program. This program will furnish 50 backpacks that the children can take home and share with their families. The backpacks will include books, flannel boards and writing utensils.
• Mill Creek - to purchase the Read Naturally literacy software that will assist children with Individual Education Plans improve their reading abilities. This software focuses on fluency which research has shown is strongly correlated to reading comprehension.
• New Directions at Yeokum Middle School - to provide funding for the Wilderness Survival program. This program will offer hands on wilderness experience for at-risk youth.
• Yeokum Middle School - to purchase a color printer for the technology classroom. This printer will allow the students to see their designs in color.
• Belton/Manzanillo Sister Cities Cultural Ambassador Program - funding will assist students spending six weeks in Manzanillo attending school and learning about the culture and life of students in Manzanillo.
• Belton High School (three grants) - One grant will purchase five document cameras for the math department. The cameras will allow the teachers and students to share math concepts and assignments. The second grant will fund a student enrichment opportunity, “The World of Education”. This educational opportunity will bridge the lessons 70 at-risk youth learn in the classroom to the real world. The third grant funds the annual STOP the Violence Day and United As One activities. This grant will underwrite the costs of violence prevention activities and diversity training.

The Belton Educational Foundation also awarded two grants to individual teachers to provide them financial support as they work to obtain their National Certified Teaching Certificate.

Scholarships

Scholarships from the Foundation will be awarded to graduating seniors at the Belton High School Awards Night on May 12, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

Community Partnerships

The Foundation is interested in pursuing community partnerships with businesses and organizations within the community. To inquire about this possibility, please contact Heather McFarland at (816) 348-1000.

The Belton Educational Foundation is pleased to announce a new community partnership with Picture This Videos. Picture This Videos will be taping the 2008 Belton High School Graduation Ceremony and will be donating 10% of the proceeds of video sales to the foundation. You can purchase a copy of the video at their website: http://www.picturethisvideokc.com/PictureThisVideoOrder.htm.

How You Can Help

The support the Foundation offers our students would not be possible without the generosity of individuals, businesses and organization. You may send your tax deductible donations to the foundation at 100 W. Walnut Belton, MO 64012.

The Foundation is also interested in sharing information about our activities with community organizations. Please contact Heather McFarland at (816) 348-1000 for more information.