A A A The Community Foundation of East Mississippi is accepting applications for an education grant to be awarded this spring and implemented during the 2016-17 school year.

A A A The Excellence in Education Grant is available to teachers, schools, school districts, and community-based organizations with a focus on improving education.

A A A The Excellence in Education Endowment was one of the first funds created at the Community Foundation in 1987 by the Phil Hardin Foundation.A The fund was created in memory of Walter L. Smith showed a deep and abiding interest in the well-being of east Mississippi and its people,” Glover said.

A A A This gift from the Phil Hardin Foundation to the Community Foundation, in the form of an endowment and the grant it provides, is used to fund educational projects in the five counties the Community Foundation serves: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba and Newton.

A A A aThis fund is a great example of people caring deeply for their community because any time education is prioritized, that communityas capacity to be successful and offer a better quality of life for all its citizens improves significantly,a said Glover.

This grant may be awarded to an individual school, an entire school district, or a community based organization focusing on improving education.A A A A

A A A To apply for the grant, contact the Community Foundation of East Mississippi by emailing office@cfem.org or by calling 601-696-3035.