KEYS grant cycle awards nearly $8,000

In the most recent Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services (KEYS) grant cycle, nearly $8,000 was awarded to 15 recipients including Akron Elementary School; Harrison Elementary School; Lakeland Christian Academy; Little Cats Early Learning Center; Pierceton Elementary School; Rose Garden Recovery Community; Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School; Tippecanoe Valley High School; Warsaw Community High School; Washington STEM Academy.

At Tippecanoe Valley High School, Lisa Lynch teaches a thriving visual arts program. “Art has a huge impact on students,” Lynch said. “It gives them an outlet to express their feelings in a safe way. It also boosts self-esteem and builds confidence.” Students in the art program come away with skills they will use in the workforce, such as creativity, patience and problem-solving.

The art program recently received a KEYS grant. With the grant, the school purchased easels for painting and displays, stamps to personalize clay pieces, and artist smocks. “We appreciate the KEYS grant and the Community Foundation so much,” Lynch added. “The grant helps support all the wonderful things art provides for our students.”

KEYS is a youth philanthropy program of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. It is comprised of twenty students who attend the four high schools located in Kosciusko County: Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw Community and Wawasee. Students are selected to join in eighth grade and remain active members in the program until they graduate from high school.

KEYS members learn about philanthropy, teamwork, nonprofit governance, leadership, and service to their community. As a grant-making body, they recommend grants supporting education in our community. Last year, they recommended nearly $29,000 in grants to educators and nonprofits.

KEYS grant applications are due on January 15 and September 15 each year. Learn more and apply at kcfoundation.org/grants/keys-grants.