The Austin Public Education Foundation will give 25 grants worth more than $31,772 to Austin Public Schools projects this year.

Each year the Foundation awards grants to teachers in the Austin school system. The applications are accepted in the spring with a March 1 deadline. The applications are reviewed by the grant committee and selected on the merit of what will benefit the most students. These grants provide funding of programs or projects that wouldn’t be possible through regular tax dollars; it does not fund salaries or benefits of employees, or fees normally paid by parents. These grants must positively impact the students of Austin Public Schools.

Some of the bigger projects this year include funding for LEGO League, Canyon Blocks for Austin’s gymnastics program, opera presentations and improving Banfield Elementary’s school garden.

The Foundation has two endowment funds. Income earned through investment of these funds is used to provide extra opportunities for Austin students. The James and Joanne Huntting Endowment is used to fund any program and project in the schools. The Packer Fund is used to fund co-curricular and extra curricular activities, with 60 percent of the Packer grant funds going to athletics.

The major fund raising event for the Austin Public Education Foundation is its annual APE for Kids Golf event. Last year’s event raised more than $16,000. The Foundation also relies on corporate and private donations and other small fundraisers during the school year.