(COLUMBIA, MO) – The Columbia Public Schools Foundation (CPSF) awarded more than $194,000 to 37 schools in the Columbia Public Schools (CPS) as part of its Students First Fund grants.

The Students First Fund is a schoolwide grant program designed to reach students in the classroom. The intent of the grant fund is to put students first. Grants are available for one school per annual grant cycle, with a maximum of $6,000 per school.

“This is the second year of our Students First Fund grant program,” said Katie Harris, executive director of CPSF. “We’re so excited to be able to award these funds to schools for grants that help them continue to put students first. We listened to our schools to learn exactly what they need to help students continue to be successful.”

From schoolwide One Read programs to college visit field trips and more, each school applied for programs and materials to enhance the learning environment for students.

The Foundation visited each school receiving a grant to surprise them with the good news about their award. In all, 37 schools will be awarded grants for a total of $194,432, benefiting more than 15,700 preschool, elementary, middle and high school students.

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation is a private foundation established by community volunteers dedicated to the enrichment of public education through community giving. The Foundation has funded projects in every school, allocating more than $1.7 million to enhance education in the Columbia Public Schools. CPSF was founded in 1996 and has supported teachers and students for 29 years.