The Cook Family Foundation recently announced it has awarded a $1.1 million grant to the Owosso Public Schools for the completion of its auditorium in the new high school and middle school building.
Content excerpted from a foundation press release. Read the full release here.
The Cook Family Foundation recently announced it has awarded a $1.1 million grant to the Owosso Public Schools for the completion of its auditorium in the new high school and middle school building.
“We believe we are at our best as a community when we come together to accomplish big tasks,” Tom Cook, executive director, Cook Family Foundation said. “When I think back over the last 25 years, I can think of no greater collaboration and no more important achievement than the passage of the Owosso Public Schools bond proposal on November 7, 2017.”
That bond measure provides funding for a multi-purpose performance space. The foundation’s grant will fund enhancements to create an auditorium for theatrical performances as well as band and choral concerts.
“The arts develop well-rounded individuals who are creative thinkers, communicators and problem solvers,” Andrea Tuttle, superintendent of the Owosso Public Schools said. “With a true auditorium, Owosso students will have daily accessibility to a space that will foster cross-curricular learning to develop communication, technology, and public speaking skills.”
The foundation said the $1.1 million grant is “extraordinary funding above and beyond the foundation’s usual grant-making, which last year totaled $719,000.”
“We are committed to the Shiawassee County community,” Cook said. “We have no plans to scale back our support for early childhood and other educational endeavors, our Nonprofit Capacity Building Program or environmental efforts centered around the Shiawassee River and the Saginaw Bay Watershed.”
