The foundation of the Rotary Club of Edina recently awarded a grant of $4,000 to Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES).
 
In partnership with Minnesota’s professional and collegiate sports teams, ACES specifically serves middle schoolers and focuses on the development of math and social-emotional skills. ACES programming is offered in nine schools in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Northfield.
With the grant from the Rotary Club of Edina, ACES will be able to expand programming into a new site at Hiawatha College Prep Northrop, a school serving Grades 5-8 in Minneapolis. ACES will provide after school learning two hours a day Monday through Thursday, providing hundreds of hours of additional academic support to students. It costs approximately $17,000 to equip a location for programming, including Chromebooks, equipment, curriculum enhancements and secured storage.
 
“ACES believes that all students should have the opportunity to achieve their potential, regardless of race or income,” said Executive Director Christina Saunders in her grant application. “To help keep ACES students on a path to higher education, employment opportunities and a stable adult life, ACES sets up all youth to be successful and confident learners. … This leads to contributing, responsible and productive adult members of society.”
 
Money for grants awarded by the Edina Rotary Foundation is raised at an annual fall fundraiser and gala and donations made throughout the year. This year, the club will award more than $60,000 in grants.
 
Contact: Rotary Club of Edina Public Image Director Katy Campbell, katy.koch.campbell@gmail.com or
952-412-146