ECMC Foundation Awards $1.45 Million to 72 Organizations Working to Improve Educational Outcomes in Employees' Local Communities

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ECMC Foundation announced today that it has awarded $1.45 million across 72 organizations spanning 19 states, as part of its 2017 GO! Program. The program is designed to involve employees under all affiliates of its parent company, ECMC Group, in recognizing organizations that align with the Foundation's mission of improving educational outcomes among underserved communities.

Employees across ECMC Group's seven major office locations—Minneapolis, Minn.; Mather, Calif.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Batavia, N.Y.; Nashville, Tenn.; Tampa, Fla.; and Santa Ana, Calif.—as well as its 24 campus locations under Zenith Education Group, nominated organizations for consideration.

This year's level of employee engagement was unprecedented: 264 nominations were received across 31 sites and nearly 2,000 employees voted to decide the winning nonprofit organizations.

"Through our company-wide GO! Program initiative, everyone in the ECMC Group family has the opportunity to connect the Foundation's mission of improving educational outcomes to organizations they care about in their local communities," said ECMC Foundation President Peter J. Taylor. "It provides employees the chance to give back and make a difference in a personal and meaningful way."

Awards were granted to education programs spanning from early childhood education through postsecondary education. Examples of grant recipients are:

• Fathers and Families Center (Indianapolis, Ind.): $25,000 to support the Strong Fathers program, which works with at-risk fathers to obtain the skills and training certifications needed to secure employment that has the potential for a living wage and growth. This grant recipient was nominated by Ranee Jones from ECMC Group's Indianapolis, Ind., office.

"The Fathers and Families Center equips inexperienced, willing fathers with the skills and tools they need to transform their lives," Jones said. "I respect this organization and the support it provides to dads who have had a difficult time in life but remain committed to being a father."

• Avenues for Homeless Youth (Minneapolis, Minn.): $25,000 to support the employment of an education support specialist who will work with homeless youth. This grant recipient was nominated by Sandy Probst from ECMC Group's Minneapolis, Minn., office.

"Avenues for Homeless Youth provides shelter and support services for homeless youth so they can reach their goals and transition into young adulthood while giving them hope for a future they wouldn't otherwise have," Probst said. "I'm proud to be part of an organization that contributes in a meaningful way to help homeless teens have an opportunity for a successful future."

• Fairytale Town (Sacramento, Calif.): $25,000 to fund the Sacramento Adventure Playground (SAP) "maker" lab where kids use real tools and raw materials and bring their ideas to life, while keeping them out of harm's way. This grant recipient was nominated by Leslie Naake from ECMC Group's Mather, Calif., office.

"I was happy to nominate Fairytale Town, which has been a landmark for years," Naake said. "There are few opportunities anymore for creative play, especially in underserved areas. This grant will allow Fairytale Town to sustain and expand education innovation, while building stronger ties in the community."

Since the GO! Program first launched three years ago, it has awarded a total of $3.55 million through 118 grants.

About ECMC Foundation
Based in Los Angeles, ECMC Foundation's mission is to inspire and facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes—especially among underserved populations—through evidence-based innovation. The Foundation makes investments in three focus areas: Teacher and Leader Development, College Success, and Career Readiness. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org.

About ECMC Group
ECMC Group is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help students succeed. All companies in the ECMC Group family work together to fulfill this mission through product and service support and by funding its philanthropic activities through ECMC Foundation. Learn more about ECMC Group by visiting www.ecmcgroup.org.

SOURCE ECMC Foundation

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