The Niles Education Foundation will award more than $23,000 to several projects geared toward enhancing and enriching the learning environment for students in Niles Community Schools.

Peg Maiers, a retired teacher who serves as a member of the foundation’s board of directors, said the money helps fill in gaps created by cuts in education funding.

“A foundation is really important so that you can provide things that the budget cannot — that is what it amounts to,” she said. “I love that we are able to provide materials and other things that can help get children excited about learning.”

The foundation selected the following projects this year:

• IntelliScanner Classic ($1,650) — The IntelliScanner will help organize the leveled reading book rooms at the district’s elementary school buildings. Eastside Connections piloted the electronic system and it has created an efficient way for teachers to track, search and check out books, according to school officials. Donna Roark and Angie Cramer applied for the award.

• Nonfiction guided reading program ($5,210) — Scholastic’s Nonfiction Guided Reading Program includes 960 nonfiction books, a teacher’s guide, teaching cards, leveling stickers and storage bins. School officials hope students who read books at the correct level will be encouraged to read more often and gain comprehension skills. Kristin Morlock and Joann Ripley applied for the award for Ballard Elementary School.

• Handwriting Without Tears Training Workshop ($7,311) — The hands-on workshop provides activities and lessons that can be implemented in the classroom and will be used by 325 students. It is designed to improve creative writing skills and fine motor skills. Bonnie Prenkert will attend training for the program and then train other kindergarten teachers to implement it. Prenkert and Roark applied for the award.

• Summer Renaissance Artist Program ($1,750) — Peter Helm, of Niles High School, will conduct a program for 20 highly motivated artistic students to expand their abilities in drawing, painting and sculpture. Their artwork will be displayed at Lake Michigan College, the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and Brentwood Assisted Living.

• National Archery in the Schools program ($1,750) — The National Archery in the Schools Program will benefit students at Cedar Lane Alternative School. It uses archery to help teach students skills in listening, observation and micro and macro motor skills. It is a matching grant with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Angelecque Thornton, of Cedar Lane, applied for the award.

• Upgrade the Niles High School Performing Arts Center ($5,750) — This project will result in the upgrading and modernizing of the microphone and sound technology systems at the Niles High School Auditorium and other venues. The grant will cover four wireless handheld/headset combination packs, four wireless headset packs and a digital soundboard. The wireless packs can also be used at graduation ceremonies, in the cafeteria and during gymnasium activities. Maiers said this is a matching grant and the foundation is still seeking someone to provide the match. She said the foundation would still award its portion of the money if the match is not found. Rob Babler, of Niles High School, applied for the award.

The foundation also awarded grants in lesser amounts to the following projects:

• Ring Lardner — Personal finance: middle school edition ($757.77)

• Ring Lardner — Materials to build self esteem ($527.47)

• Howard-Ellis — Keyboarding without tears ($1,000)

• Howard-Ellis — Montessori math stamp games ($296.01)

The role of the Niles Education Foundation is to garner private support and public engagement for Niles Community Schools. Since its establishment in 2009, the non-profit foundation has invested more than $100,000 for the enhancement of public education at Niles Community Schools.

The education foundation’s Third Annual Legendary Evening will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at Orchard Hills Country Club. This year the foundation will be honoring two Exemplary Vikings: Staff Sgt. Kenneth A. Brook and Dr. Scott H. Maurer. There will be a silent auction with all proceeds going to the foundation’s grants program and other special projects. The event will include heavy hors d’oeuvre and a cash bar. Tickets are still available. More information about this event can be found at www.nileseducationfoundation.org.

For more information on specific giving call the foundation office at (269) 683-0732.