Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund is accepting proposals from local nonprofits so it can distribute $57,000 in grants for programs to boost college preparedness for Latino youth in Ventura County, the organization reported recently in a media release. The deadline is April 29.
“A recent study by the Center on Education Policy showed Latino students are closing the education gap with their ethnic counterparts, but too slowly,” Hank Lacayo, chair of the Destino Steering Committee and a VCCF board member, stated in the release. Destino is part of the Ventura County Community Foundation.
“Many efforts are underway in the county, including by the P-16 Council and in school districts across the region, to expand the number of Latino students who will be ready to attend college, and the Destino Committee felt that was an important effort to support and extend,” he said.
Ventura County needs proactive programs to make sure young Latinos are prepared for success in college to compete effectively in the high wage job market, Lacayo said.
The 2011 Destino grants committee will consider those proposals that expand opportunities for Latino students to succeed through college preparedness, specifically:
> Programs delivering curriculum that measurably increase academic achievement, college preparation and access;
> Programs educating Latino youth and parents about higher education requirements, financial aid, the college admissions process and self-advocacy within the educational system;
> Programs proven to increase access into advanced placement and college preparatory (CP) courses.
The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. April 29. Late and/or incomplete proposals will not be considered. Grants are expected to be distributed in September.
Those submitting a proposal are required to attend an informational meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, or from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, in the Community Room at VCCF, 1317 Del Norte Road, Suite 150, Camarillo.
Those who plan to attend must RSVP to LaToya Ford at 805.988.0196, ext. 126, or at lford@vccf.org To download the full request for proposals, visit http://www.vccf.org/grants/index.shtml
Click here to view the entire media release