Recognizing that education is a critical component of ensuring success of our community development efforts, over the years the St. Croix Foundation has offered grants and scholarships to provide opportunities for students and organizations wishing to create or expand their educational programming. The Foundation’s body of educational grants and scholarships represent targeted approaches to fundamental disciplines—literacy, math, science, and art—and aim to reach students, teachers, and administrators seeking relevant and rigorous enrichment opportunities.
LUDINGTON LITERACY FUND
Established in October 2002 by longtime St. Croix Foundation Trustee Martin Ludington upon the passing of his late wife, Lee, the Ludington Literacy Fund serves to promote reading ability and skills in the English language among the residents of St. Croix. Developed and administered by the Foundation, the Fund issues grants up to $2,500 to organizations and other entities seeking to implement or expand literacy initiatives.
Sadly, in November of 2002, a month after the launch of the Fund, Martin Ludington passed away leaving the Foundation as the sole administrator of his Fund. Grant applications for the Ludington Literacy Fund are reviewed and approved on a quarterly basis by the Foundation’s standing Education Committee.
Past grant recipients have included: Juanita Gardine School for a Literacy at Home program; Central High School for its Reading and Current Events Club; St. Joseph High School for a Caribbean Literacy Program; and St. Mary’s Catholic School for its S.T.A.R. Literacy Program. To date, the Fund has granted over $150,000 to worthwhile literacy initiatives on St. Croix. Grant cycles for this fund run from September 15th – October 31st. To download a copy of the Ludington Application_2012, click here.
TEACHER GRANT AWARD PROGRAM
The Foundation’s Teacher Grant Award program is geared towards enhancing the educational experience of public elementary school teachers and their students. Through the Fund, grants of up to $200 are awarded to applicants for projects which are judged on their ability to enliven students’ creativity and provide students with a broad, interactive learning experience of the world around them. The Program also encourages active student participation in the development of the proposed project.
Since 2005, close to $10,000 in Teacher Grants has been awarded to over 45 public elementary school teachers.
Grant cycles for the Teacher Grant Award run from September 15th – October 31st. To download a copy of the Teacher Grant Application_2012, click here.
DOVE MEMORIAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Funded through generous seed donations from local attorney Diane Russell, and Don and Patricia Weeden, the DOVE Arts Scholarship Fund was introduced to the St. Croix community on February 25, 2005, in memory of the late Crucian artist, Lloyd “Dove” Braffith.
Dove Scholarships seek to provide enrichment opportunities to young people who are serious about developing their skills in performing and visual arts as well as creative writing. To date, the Dove Memorial Arts Fund has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to students pursuing the arts. Grant cycles for the Dove Memorial Arts Scholarship Fund run from March 15 – May 31. Retrospectives commemorating this local artist can be purchased at the St. Croix Foundation, and all proceeds support the Dove Memorial Art Fund. To download the Dove Memorial Application_2012, click here.
DENALI GIFTED & TALENTED STUDENTS FUND
Created in 2004 by Denali Asset Management, this Donor-Advised Fund provides a wide variety of educational resources for students in St. Croix public elementary school Gifted and Talented Programs.
Through this fund, close to $100,000 worth of books, computer equipment and supplies have been distributed to elementary schools on the island of St. Croix.
MATH & SCIENCE SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Math & Science Summer Scholarship Fund awards grants of up to $2,000 to high school students on the island of St. Croix. Qualifying students must have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a (B) or better and be accepted into an accredited summer enrichment program locally or stateside, with a specific focus on math or science.
Since 2005, the Math and Science Scholarship Fund has awarded over $50,000 to students on the island of St. Croix to attend such programs as the Congressional Student Leadership Conference on Forensics & Crime Scene Investigations; Syracuse University’s Summer College for High School Students; Smith College’s Summer Science & Engineering Program; the Manor School’s Chess & Math Program; and the National Youth Leadership Forum on Technology. Grant cycles for the Math and Science Summer Scholarship run from March 15 – May 1st. To download the Math & Science Application_2012, click here.
UVI SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH (STEM) PROGRAM
In 2005, in an effort to encourage greater participation in our Math and Science Scholarship Fund, the Foundation initiated a partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands that would meet the mission and objectives of the Fund.
With focus on robotics engineering and computer programming, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program was funded in the summer of 2005 through grants from the Math and Science Scholarship Fund. Since 2005, approximately 20 7th – 11th graders have participated in this highly competitive program each summer. Working side-by-side with the University of the Virgin Islands, the Foundation has identified individual donors to sponsor the STEM Program. To download the UVI STEM application, visit this page on the UVI website or contact the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus.
FOUNDATION SCHOLARS FUND
Established at St. Croix Foundation in 2005 by an individual donor, this Fund promotes continuing adult education among residents of St. Croix. The Foundation Scholars Fund provides scholarships to those seeking to further their education through programs offering certification or degrees within the field of business. Grant cycles for this fund run from March 15 – May 1 and September 15 – October 31. To download a copy of the Foundation Scholars Application_2012, click here.
ST. CROIX FOUNDATION MODEL SCHOOLS INITIATIVE
Since the fall of 2005, St. Croix Foundation has spearheaded a comprehensive educational initiative seeking to fulfill our long- term goal of developing a strategic and collaborative approach to improving our public education system. With the over- arching aim of providing relevant and rigorous academic supports to our Community’s struggling public schools, our initiative represents a targeted, research-based academic endeavor that serves to address systemic problems and support model public schools.
Although, Elena Christian Junior High School served as the launch-pad for our Model Schools Initiative, the Foundation has expanded the reach and scope of this endeavor far beyond the boundaries of one school. In partnership with many generous Corporate and Individual donors, this Initiative has funded over $500,000 in resources and administrative supports to students, teachers, and District administrators throughout the Virgin Islands Department of Education. For more information about the Model Schools Initiative or a full copy of the report, click here.
For more information about these funds or to create your own fund, contact St. Croix Foundation at staff@stxfoundation.org.
