Fund Established to Support Civic Education in Local Schools

YARMOUTHPORT-The League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area announced today, in partnership with The Cape Cod Foundation, the establishment of a fund that will support Action Civics for middle and high school students on Cape Cod. Action Civics combines traditional civic education, guided experiential civic education, and youth leadership development with the goal of creating an engaged citizenry capable of effective participation in the civic process, in their communities and in society.

The fund, known as the League of Women Voters Civic Education Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation, will support middle and high school teachers in initiating, or expanding, civic education opportunities for their students. Examples of fundable activities include: civic-related field trips, entrance fees for students to special events, consultant fees for leadership development for students, fees to cover a special program for students, or a professional development experience for teachers that will help them offer action civics curriculum. The goal is to fund at least one activity in each school district on Cape Cod annually.

“The establishment of this fund is at the core of the work of the Youth Service Committee for the League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area, “ stated Karen Mazza, Youth Service Chair and immediate past President of the League. “We feel it is critically important to support our schools as they help students learn about government and civic participation in the context of real world issues that affect their lives. We are pleased to partner with The Cape Cod Foundation on this initiative as they have extensive knowledge in the grantmaking field.”

“We are honored to work with the League on this effort,” said Kristin O’Malley, Executive Director of The Cape Cod Foundation. “In addition to the great work that they do community-wide, they have also been actively engaged in the Cape-wide Youth Action Planning process that we have facilitated over the past four years. Action Civics is one of the key areas that was identified by the community in the plan as a way to further support our youth. We are thrilled to see the League taking a leadership role in this area.”

Those interested in supporting the fund can donate online at www.capecodfoundation.org or send a check to The Cape Cod Foundation, 261 Whites Path, Unit 2, South Yarmouth, MA  02664 and note: LWV Civic Education Fund in the memo.

Schools looking to apply can visit www.capecodfoundation.org, Receive, Current Grants. Deadline to apply for 2015 is September 28.

The Cape Cod Foundation is a community foundation whose mission is to build permanent charitable resources for community betterment through informed grantmaking and civic leadership. The Foundation has distributed more than $50 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1989. www.capecodfoundation.org

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. The local chapter started in Orleans in 1959 and later expanded to become the League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area. www.lwvcapecod.org.