News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 04, 2003

Lumina Foundation launches next phase of its McCabe Fund

Nine organizations receive grants totaling nearly $600,000 to improve college access

To date nearly $2 million awarded through McCabe Fund

INDIANAPOLIS — Lumina Foundation for Education announced today nine grants totaling $579,900 to support college-access programs for underserved students. The McCabe Fund supports organizations that enable students — particularly first-generation college students, low-income students and students of color — to gain access to postsecondary education. Combined with earlier awards the Indianapolis-based foundation awarded in the past year, the McCabe Fund is supporting 27 organizations reaching out to nearly 9,000 prospective college students.

The McCabe Fund provides modest, competitive grants for programs that work directly with students to improve access to postsecondary education. These programs expand successful models or propose new approaches that are ready to be tested in the field.

"We hope to extend the good work of our McCabe Fund grantees by opening this program to other innovative and successful organizations across the country," said Martha D. Lamkin, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation. Lamkin noted that Lumina Foundation has approved an additional $2 million to award a second round of grants in 2003-2004.

Lumina Foundation has invited about 100 organizations from across the country to submit proposals between now and the end of 2003.

Below are profiles of the nine most recent grant recipients, along with summaries of their college-access initiatives.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN): A $75,000 grant to expand the All Access Teen Program with more hours of operation, monthly academic preparation seminars and career exploration.

Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington, D.C.): A $75,000 grant to develop a workshop series for parents that includes basic financial literacy and early college planning.

Emmanuel Gospel Center, Inc. (Boston, MA): A $75,000 grant to develop the skills and motivation of under-represented students to successfully enter and complete college.

Foundation for a College Education (East Palo Alto, CA): A $25,000 grant to increase the comprehensive academic and college guidance provided by this foundation to an additional 10 to 20 students of color.

Learning Network of Clinton County (Frankfort, IN): A $63,100 grant to foster interest in postsecondary education among low-income and minority students through college and career exploration and the development of a youth leadership academy.

On Point for College, Inc. (Syracuse, NY): A $75,000 grant to provide higher education access for low-income and academically challenged youth through direct support services at inner-city neighborhood centers.

Trinity College (Hartford, CT): A $75,000 grant to enhance pre-college access tutoring and academic awareness within the requirements of Hartford Public Schools' curriculum.

University of Rio Grande (Rio Grande, OH): A $74,200 grant to encourage rural Appalachian eighth-graders and their parents to prepare for postsecondary education.

Villages of Indiana, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN): A $42,600 grant to expand the services provided to foster care youth to include awareness and preparation for postsecondary education.

The grant program is named for Lumina Foundation's founding chairman of the board, Edward A. McCabe. A distinguished leader in government, law, business and higher education for nearly half a century, McCabe has been deeply interested in making a college education possible for disadvantaged and underserved students.

Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Through research, grants for innovative programs and communication initiatives, Lumina Foundation addresses issues surrounding access and success — particularly among underserved student groups, including adult learners. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people.

For more information, contact Sara Murray, director of communications at (317) 951-5493 or smurray@luminafoundation.org.