Mays Prep Awarded Walton Family Foundation Grant

April, 2009

After completing a very detailed application and interview process coupled with a rigorous school model defense, a letter finally arrived on the desk of Mays Prep's Board Chair that simply stated, "It is my pleasure to inform you that The Walton Foundation, Inc. has approved a grant to Benjamin E. Mays Preparatory School."

Our Director of Operations and Finance, Erica M. Crenshaw remarked, "This is certainly good news for the school and for the work that we are attempting to do at Mays Prep. But more importantly, it tells us that an organization like Walton believes in our model, our leadership, and trusts that we will do what is best for kids – as well as be a good steward over the funds. There is no better vote of confidence than knowing that we have their support."

More About the Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation pursues a philanthropic mission established by Sam and Helen Walton, which began modestly in the small town of Bentonville, Arkansas.

The Foundation has long been an ardent supporter of public education initiatives, devoting much of its philanthropic interests to providing assistance to charter schools across the country.

The Foundation's Public Charter School Initiative aims to increase the number of children who have access to high-quality public charter schools. The Foundation supports groups that are:

• Planning and starting public charter schools that show potential for dramatically raising student achievement;
• Developing state and national associations that serve, protect and cultivate the public charter school movement;
• Recruiting and training leaders and teachers for public charter schools; and
• Addressing the need of public charter schools for facilities.

Please join us in celebrating this milestone achievement in the school's very short history!