Our Grantmaking

The Foundation provides funding directly to students in the form of awards and scholarships and directly to schools in the form of grants to teachers, principals, and the school district.  The focus is on students living or studying at a school in the Downey Unified School District (DUSD).

Student Awards and Scholarships

Each year the Foundation presents nearly 1,000 students attending schools in DUSD awards and scholarships worth over $300,000.

$150 College Savings: This is a merit “Stauffer Scholar” award for 7th-8th grade DUSD students with a 4.0 GPA or better.  Eight students are selected for the additional $500 Stauffer Scholar of the Year award.

$100 Scholar Athlete: This is a merit award for 9th-12th grade DUSD students who participated in varsity sports while maintaining a 3.8 GPA or better.  Thirty-two seniors are selected for an additional $25 to $400 Scholar Athlete – Outstanding Senior award.

$200 Jr 4.0: This is a merit award for 11th grade DUSD students with a cumulative 4.0 GPA or better.

$2,500 Community College Scholarship:  This scholarship can be used at a community college, trade school, or adult school certification program and is paid out over 4 semesters in $625 increments.  Annually about 80 DUSD seniors are selected from applications.

$15,000 California Lutheran University Scholarship: A DUSD senior is selected from applications.

District Grants

At the beginning of each school year, the foundation calls for grant proposals from teachers, principals, and the school district.  Generally, about 20 grants are approved each year worth over $150,000.

Teacher grants rotate every three years between Elementary, Middle and High School teachers.

Principal grants are offered in memory of volunteer Linda Kennedy.

District grants are for district-wide programs such as Robotic Clubs grades 3 through 12.

Applying for a Grant

Currently all student awards, student scholarships, and district grants are offered through the Downey Unified School District.  If you are a teacher or principal of DUSD, contact the Director of Elementary Education.  If you are a community organization, send a preliminary inquiry to the postal address.