Chandler Education Foundation Specialty Grants
At the Chandler Education Foundation (CEF), we are proud to support initiatives that make Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) a premier district of choice for families. By securing specialty grants through our valued partnerships with corporate and philanthropic organizations, we provide vital supplemental funding that drives our mission: expanding access, fostering innovation, and achieving excellence across CUSD.
A specialty grant is a specific type of financial award provided to support unique, targeted projects or programs that align with both our mission and that of the sponsoring organization. Unlike general grants or sponsorships, which may cover a broad range of activities, specialty grants are designated for particular initiatives, often addressing niche areas.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to impacting every student and school within our district. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous community partners for investing in these innovative and critical resources.
Supporting HOPE with the help of the Chandler Compadres
The Chandler Education Foundation (CEF) is proud to provide financial support to the Hope Institute through a specialty grant funded by the Chandler Compadres. Located on the Perry High School campus, the Hope Institute is a vital new resource dedicated to addressing suicidality and mental health challenges within the Chandler Unified School District.
The Hope Institute offers short-term outpatient care, ranging from 6 to 12 weeks, focusing on urgent mental health needs. Using evidence-based methods like the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), the program includes individual counseling, group counseling, and intensive outpatient options tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
CEF's investment in the Hope Institute underscores our commitment to the well-being of CUSD students, ensuring timely and effective mental health support is available to those who need it most.
Thank you to the Chandler Compadres for their generous support in making this crucial initiative possible.
Advancing Career-Focused STEM Education
Thanks to the generous support from long-time CEF partner, Northrop Grumman, $5,000 grants were awarded to Andersen Junior High and Willis Junior High to enhance STEM education through cutting-edge biotechnology labs and resources.
Driven by 7th and 8th-grade science teacher Jason Prichard at Willis Junior High, these funds will help to establish state-of-the-art labs equipped with tools like a minipcr machine and electrophoresis kits. This initiative aims to provide students with practical, career-focused learning experiences, connecting classroom concepts to real-world biotechnology applications.
The hope is that this exposure will spark interest and inspire future scientists and professionals in the field of biotechnology. In the words of Mr. Prichard, "My primary goals are to get students to ask questions, think critically, scientifically, and creatively, and be literate in science so they can make informed decisions when presented with scientific claims." The biotechnology lab will serve as a catalyst for achieving these goals, empowering students to actively participate in the scientific inquiry process.
