The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of the Verdugos have announced that The Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund is accepting applications to support educational projects that enhance ongoing programs with new resources, equipment, technology, facilities, modernization and upgrades or initiate new programs. Grant applications range from $500 to $5,000 for ongoing, leadership and/or special needs educational programs. Grants of $3,000-plus must be matched.

New this year is a Strategic Initiative Grant, an opportunity to apply for up to $15,000 for an educational innovation. Two or more non-profit organizations are invited to pool their resources, collaborate and propose educational change with potential widespread application in the Crescenta-Cañada community as well as others.

“Our goal is to spark innovative thinking and to bring our community leaders together to make the most of our resources,” said Chris Waldheim, member of the Fund’s board of advisors. “The key words in this new grant opportunity are Strategic Initiative. Sometimes people just need $100 to try something new and sometimes it takes a wild brainstorming session for people to realize that we have the ability to be more responsive. Speaking for the members of our Education Fund board of advisors, we want to encourage everyone to not only think outside the box – forget about boxes and the way it has always been done. Give us your best ideas and we will do our best to make it happen!”

Applications are available online at www.crescentavalleychamber.org and info@cfverdugos.org and are due by Friday, Oct. 19 via email only. Organizations must be non-profit, tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and providing educational programs to residents of the Crescenta-Cañada Valley. This includes La Cañada, La Crescenta, and parts of Glendale, Montrose and Tujunga. Parent organizations located outside but delivering educational programs in this area or to residents of this area are eligible.

For more information, contact Edna Karinski, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Verdugos, at (818) 241-8040 or Jean Maluccio of the Crescenta Valley Chamber (818) 248-4957. Other members of the board of advisors include Rick Dinger, Jo Loomis, Roberta Parker, Mary Pinola, Julia Rabago, Teri Rice, Renee Riendeau, Patty Steur and Eleanor Wacker.