Pride in the Tiger Foundation (PITF) in partnership with Marshall Public Schools (MPS) is excited to announce they have been chosen as one of twenty-five recipients of a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant.
To select Hometown Grant recipients, T-Mobile works with Main Street America and Smart Growth America — two organizations with expertise in building stronger, healthier and more connected communities. Applications are evaluated based on their level of detail and completeness, community need and impact, feasibility, and other considerations. T-Mobile awards 25 Hometown Grants each quarter to small towns with a population of 50,000 or less.
The process for grant approval began in June of 2023 with a focus on creating a career and technical workforce training center for youth, available to all students through the public school system to provide more opportunities for hands-on and skills-based learning.
In 2021, Marshall Public Schools purchased and began work on the new Career and Technical Education Institute. “This facility will allow students to gain hands-on experience in technical careers including mechanics, welding, and nursing with plans to add additional industries as funding allows. The cost to fully equip this facility will be approximately $450,000. Our budget doesn’t cover all the needed equipment to ensure that students get the best hands-on learning experience. We are grateful to work in collaboration to raise funds to support these impactful programs in our schools.” – Jeremy Williams, Superintendent, Marshall Public Schools.
The Foundation and Marshall Public Schools along with Marshall’s Economic Development Authority have been working together to secure funds through a local campaign and grant opportunities to support Career and Technical Education in the schools and the opening of the new Career and Technical Institute in Marshall.
“Workforce development is a critical need in the Marshall community which includes not only providing the necessary technical skills for our students but also exposure to what career opportunities are available in Southwest Minnesota. The addition of the Career and Technical Institute will help achieve both factors, preparing our students for the workforce and helping them find their passion and strengths while still in high school. This generous grant will allow the school district to offer industry-relevant course work and the tools necessary to provide the best educational experience for our students.” – Lauren Deutz, Economic Development Director, City of Marshall
Pride in the Tiger Foundation works with all of Marshall’s schools, public and private, to support the personal growth and development of children through educational excellence. This is done through yearly scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors and the Teacher Impact Grant program.
“The Foundation is grateful for the generosity of the Marshall community. Our goal is to provide funding for students to receive enriched educational opportunities. Receiving a grant like this is such a boost for what we do to support the schools. These dollars go right towards building programs that create a better future for our students and in turn will help our community grow.” – Krista Bjella, Executive Director, Pride in the Tiger Foundation.
To learn more about the T-Mobile Hometown Grants read the full press release here: T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants Spark Positive Change in 25 New Communities – T-Mobile Newsroom
Information about supporting CTE at MPS can be found: Donate Now | Marshall Public Schools
Visit Pride in the Tiger Foundation’s website to learn more about their impact on education: HOME – Pride in the Tiger Foundation
