Grant Story: Global Awareness Classroom Grants
November 21, 2022
 | By Jamie Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer |
Spreading global awareness in La Crosse area classrooms
La Crosse Community Foundation is host to over 300 different funds of a variety of different fund types. The funds we use to award grants through our competitive grant program are either unrestricted funds or field of interest funds. These funds are established by donors to support specific areas – like global awareness.
The Global Awareness Fund is a field of interest fund established in 2006 by Rita McGughey to support opportunities for expanding the awareness of our multicultural world by helping individuals identify with people from outside the United
States. This field of interest fund is one of few at the foundation with a separate advisory committee. The Global Awareness Fund advisory committee includes folks who share Rita’s passion and experience for global connection and learning.
Global Awareness Classroom Grants
Logan High School Spanish students enjoy a trip to Mercado Central in Minneapolis
For the past several years, the Global Awareness Fund’s advisory committee has overseen a special grant program for La Crosse County K-12 educators. The Global Awareness Classroom Grant program opens every September and accepts requests from any educator in La Crosse County who needs funding to support global learning and experiences in the classrooms. Applicants can request up to $2,000, and about $10,000 is awarded each year.
The application process is short and easy, as we know how busy educators are at the beginning of the school year. Over the years, we’ve supported a wide range of projects for students, including global literature, field trips to bigger cities for cultural immersion experiences, global music and instruments, cultural experiences at schools with guest speakers, and more!
Recipients of 2022-23 classroom grants
This year, eleven educators from around La Crosse County applied for a Global Awareness Classroom Grant. We’re excited to announce the recipients!
2022-23 Global Awareness Classroom Grant Awards
| School District Name | School Name | Teacher Name | Project Name | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onalaska School District | Onalaska High School | Brian Wopat, French Teacher | Multicultural Literacy in the World Language Classroom | $1,035 |
| School District of La Crosse | Logan High School | Hong Xu, High School Chinese Teacher | Chicago China Town field trip | $1,185 |
| Onalaska School District | Onalaska School District | Ashley Nowak, Equity Coordinator | Ho-Chunk Community Event | $2,000 (+$3,000 from Lemke Fund) |
| Holmen Area School District | Sand Lake Elementary | Shelly Heerts, Music Teacher | Creating Global Musicians Through Drumming and Music Literature | $1,600 |
| West Salem School District | West Salem Elementary | Mary Hundt, Library Media Specialist | Listen to my Voice: Authors Sharing Their Identity Through the Audiobook Format | $1,615 |
| School District of La Crosse | North Woods International School | Amanda Wolfgram, Elementary Music Specialist | Hmong Instrumental Music | $965 |
| Onalaska School District | Onalaska High School | Valerie Mumm-Jansen, Spanish Teacher | Multicultural Classroom Library | $1,200 |
| TOTAL | $9,600 |