Continuing its mission is to strengthen the educational, cultural, wellness, and athletic programs of the Mechanicsburg Area School District, the Wildcat Foundation is distributing more than $89,000 in grant funding for the 2023-24 academic year.
The educational foundation uses fundraising events and charitable contributions from individuals, groups, and businesses to raise funds each year for distribution in grants.
Key fundraising events include the Annual Golf Outing (recently held on Aug. 18), an Annual Appeal taking place later this fall, and Wildcat Night, which is set for Feb. 23, 2024.
The foundation received grant applications for the 2023-24 school year in January. A committee of volunteers reviewed the applications and funding recommendations were presented to and approved by the Foundation Board of Directors and School Board of Directors in April.
Grants will be used throughout the 2023-24 school year in various programs.
Approved funds for the 2023/2024 academic year | $89,497.78
Athletics – $4,770
- MASH Cheerleading —– $1,020
- MASH Swimming and Diving—–$500
- Aim for the Net! (volleyball—–$750
- Mechanicsburg Wrestling—–$1,500
- MASH Water Polo—–$1,000
Cultural – $9,200
- Marching Tubas—–$5,000
- World Expo at Upper Allen Elementary—–$900
- MASD Band Program—–$3,300
Education – $26,339.46
- Fundations Aligned Decodable Books—–$1,223.66
- Structured Literacy Manipulatives—–$5,000
- Wonderbooks for SEL Broad Street—–$4,200
- Manipulatives for Structured Literacy—–$2,000
- STEM Girls—–$400
- MMS Esports Club—–$2,300
- MMS Library Summer Book Club—–$225
- Life Skills Wildcat Café—–$1,000
- The Read. Create. Belong. Project (RBC Project)—–$1,800
- The Pathfinder Prophet—–$840
- MMS PLUS Strengthening Connections—–$3,600
- MMS Mentoring with Growth Experiences—–$3,000
- Project LIT—–$750
Wellness – $4,000
- DIY Portable Bike Rack Storage/Stand for PE Bikes—–$1,000
- Mountain Biking – PE Class @ Elmwood Academy—–$1,700
- Growth and Development Goodie Bags @ Elmwood Academy—–$1,300
EITC approved funds | $46,525.97
- JA Biz Town—–$7,000
- JA YES!—–$800
- Green Team, Trails and Trees Environmental Center—–$1,175
- Dual Enrollment—–$20,000
- MakerSpace/Soft Start Morning Activities @ Elmwood Academy—–$6,000
- MakerSpace/NGSS Summer Institute—–$10,000
- MakerSpace/MASH Gifted-support—–$998
- MakerSpace/Elmwood Academy 3D Printing Program—–$552.97
The foundation is also approved by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO). That means the foundation can accept Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donations to support approved programs.
Throughout the academic year, as funds are available and requests made, the foundation may provide additional support to any DCED/EITC approved program.
DCED/EITC approved programs include:
- Junior Achievement: BizTown and YES!
- Design 4 Change (D4C)
- Dual Enrollment
- Internships & CoOps
- STEAM MakerSpace & Soft Start Morning Activities (grades K-12)
- Media Production
- Model United Nations
- Technology Student Assoc. (TSA)
- Trails & Trees Environmental Center
2024-25 Grant Process
The grant process for the 2024/2025 academic year will begin later this fall with applications accepted through Google Forms. The grant application deadline is Jan. 8, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed and funding recommendations made by a committee of our volunteer board of directors. Historically, funds granted range from $100-$6,000 per grant. Any person (staff, coach, advisor, etc.) responsible for K-12 education and/or extracurricular activities at MASD may apply for grant funds.
Questions regarding the foundation and the grant making process may be directed to the foundation executive director Jeff Pratt via email (jpratt@mbgsd.org) or phone 717-691-4505.
New Field House to be Named in Honor of Rich Lichtel
Dedication of Facilities at John H. Frederick Field
Foundation Funds: Wildcat Cafe serves up Life Skills at Middle School
Foundation Funds: MASH student video project earns regional award