News & Announcements

Are you a local educator looking for additional funding to bring classroom instruction to the next level? The application window for Marshall Community Credit Union Mini-Grants is now open.

Since 2010, MCCU has provided mini-grants to school personnel dedicated to providing education to children.

“Mini-grants help fill gaps in the classroom that aren’t otherwise funded through the school system,” says MCCU Financial Education Specialist, Laura Van Dyke. “We have a preference for financial education-based requests, but we also support initiatives that spark children’s creativity and make a fun, engaging learning environment.”

In 2023, MCCU grant funds were used to purchase Junior Scholastics subscriptions, cover the cost of transportation for educational outings, materials to aid with writing skills, phonics games, and novels that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Melissa Brownell, a first-grade teacher at Hughes Elementary was a recipient of a minigrant during the 22/23 school year. Brownell used the grant to help purchase items for “brain bins” which promote creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Brownell shared the impact of the grant, stating, “Brain bin time is an easy, lowmanagement time in our weekly routine that sets a happy tone for our day. It helps students wake up and get ready to think and learn.”
MCCU’s mini-grant program is available to teachers and faculty in K-12 schools within Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties.

The application deadline is March 15, 2024. For additional details about MCCU’s MiniGrant program or to apply, visit
https://www.marshallcommunitycu.com/education/financial-education/scholarshipsgrants.html.

For additional information on MCCU’s financial education efforts, visit
https://www.marshallcommunitycu.com/education/financial-education/cu-in-school-k8th-grade.html or email [email protected].