Students across Yadkin County will be experiencing new opportunities this school year for hands-on learning and creative exploration thanks to the Yadkin County Education Foundation, a fund of the Shallow Ford Foundation. The Foundation announces the recipients of its 2025 fall mini-grant opportunity, continuing its mission to support creativity and innovation in Yadkin County Schools.

This grant cycle was designed to support educators in creating dynamic learning experiences that promote both cross-curricular integration and STEM engagement. Teachers and staff applied on behalf of their schools to fund projects that encourage collaboration across subject areas, foster critical thinking, and implement innovative instructional practices. These grants aim to provide timely, high-impact resources that enhance student engagement through hands-on lessons and experiences.

Checks were presented by Todd Martin, Community Engagement Officer at the Shallow Ford Foundation, to the awarded schools in October. Funded projects included:

• Starmount High School – STEM program expansion, allowing for collaborative cross-curricular projects
• Fall Creek Elementary – Integrating STEM lessons into media and physical education through cross-curricular     activities
• Jonesville Elementary – School-wide thematic unit: “Courage to Lead Change:  Ruby Bridges”
• Forbush High School – Lab activities studying fish, microorganisms, and wildlife
• Forbush Elementary – STEM enrichment using student-safe tools for design and engineering projects utilizing cardboard
• Yadkinville Elementary – “Snap it to Science” circuit boards for Bonus Encore science classes which will transform science learning by giving students a hands-on, minds-on experience that feels like play while building real STEM skills
• West Yadkin Elementary – Pre-K interactive playground for hands-on STEM exploration
• East Bend Elementary – School-wide thematic around the book “Winnie the Pooh”, incorporating literacy, science, and the arts
• Forbush Middle School – Project building birdhouses to scale using North Carolina math standards

Since its establishment in 2023, the Yadkin County Education Foundation has awarded over 40 impactful creative classroom grants to schools across Yadkin County. This investment reflects a commitment to providing teachers and students with dynamic learning experiences in the classroom.

In addition to celebrating the fall grant awards, the Foundation is also making progress on its matching challenge campaign, launched in December 2024. Local businessman Nolan G. Brown made a generous gift and pledged an additional $50,000 matching gift to help grow the Yadkin County Education Foundation Fund. For every $2 raised, Mr. Brown will contribute $1,with the goal of raising $100,000by December 15, 2025. Thanks to community support, the campaign is nearly halfway to its goal.

“The Yadkin County Education Foundation is all about building a lasting resource for creativity and innovation in our classrooms,” said Emmy Corn, President/CEO of the Shallow Ford Foundation. “Every gift—no matter the size—helps us meet the match challenge and invest in the bright futures of Yadkin County students. It’s a meaningful way to support our educators and inspire learning that lasts a lifetime.”

Ways to Give:
Online: visit www.sff.gives/ycef
By mail: send contributions to PO Box 755,Yadkinville, NC 27055. Please note “Yadkin County Education Foundation” in the memo line.
Other options: contact President/CEO Emmy Corn at emmy@shallowfordfoundation.org or 336-663-6794 to explore additional giving opportunities.

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