Krystal Foundation STEAM Grants Open Through December
The Krystal Co. wants to be known for more than just its burgers and fries. Through its nonprofit foundation, the oldest quick-service restaurant chain in the South recently launched the third iteration of its STEAM grant program, Squaring is Caring.
The Krystal Foundation opened a grant window to run Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 and will announce winners by the end of the January. Two previous rounds of funding doled out some $42,000 to educators.
Teachers, principals, school faculty, PTO/PTA groups, other K-12 school-affiliated organizations and non-profit organizations can apply for the grants here.
"Amazing things are happening through this program," said Jason Abelkop, Krystal's chief marketing officer, in a prepared statement. "The applications clearly demonstrate that The Krystal Foundation is making a direct impact on schools and students. Already we've been able to provide new musical instruments, football helmets, a new completely outfitted science lab, computer education, nutrition and meal planning programs and a 3D printer, all possible for our previous deserving grant winners. We can't wait to see what this next round will yield."
The company noted that educators who applied during the April and September 2017 windows and were not awarded funds will automatically have their submissions re-entered for further consideration.
There are some limitations around the program. While K-12 schools and nonprofits may submit an unlimited number of applications, an organization can only win one grant per calendar year. Also, K-12 schools or nonprofit organizations must be within Krystal's 11-state footprint.
Previous winners have included a culinary curriculum shared by five high schools that teaches nutrition, meal planning, food storage and service on a mass scale, as well as new instruments and repairs for a middle school music program.
Squaring is Caring takes its name from the company's recognition that teachers today face a steep uphill climb around STEAM subjects. "It isn't easy for schools to balance mandatory requirements and also provide educational enrichment," Abelkop said in an earlier news release. "We've decided to make it our mission to 'square-up support' for those programs."
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Based in Annapolis, MD, Adam Stone writes on education technology, government and military topics.