Staunton, VA – The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge is pleased to announce the kick-off celebration in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County for the Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP).

What Celebrating the Launch of GRASP in the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County Public High Schools
Where Augusta County Government Center, Verona
When Thursday, October 7, 2010, 11:00am – 12:00pm

GRASP is a non-profit organization that helps students leverage financial aid opportunities for college and/or trade school. Through resources made available by the Community Foundation and local donors, GRASP is placing an advisor in each of the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County High Schools for one day a week for the 2010-2011 school year.

“The opportunity for students in our area to have an extra resource to help them seek funding for college or trade school is huge. With the current economic climate and the rising costs of higher education, it is clear that local students can benefit from leveraged financial aid assistance so that they may pursue educational opportunities beyond high school,” says Becky Kohler, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge. “We were especially thrilled to have been able to raise the funds needed to provide every single one of our area public high schools with a GRASP advisor to team with school staff.”

GRASP strives to provide every high school student with an equal opportunity for continuing education, regardless of financial or social circumstances. Founded in 1983 by Virginia State Senator Walker Stosch and Dr. Raymond Garguilo, it helps students develop educational plans for after high school by placing a financial aid advisor in local schools to work alongside school staff to leverage financial aid opportunities for colleges and trade schools. Last year, each dollar invested in GRASP’s in-school advisor program leveraged $114 in financial aid for GRASP students, amounting to $31.3 million in financial aid and scholarships.

“We are always looking for ways to collaborate, whether with individual donors or organizations, to bring more educational opportunities to students in our area,” says Kohler. “By sponsoring this program, we can bring a proven educational funding model to the area. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; GRASP already has an extremely effective program in place,” says Kohler.

About GRASP
Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) is narrowly structured to take advantage of Virginia’s Neighborhood Assistance Act, which encourages individual and business support for certain programs serving impoverished citizens of Virginia. The Neighborhood Assistance Act of Virginia, provides significant tax incentives for individuals and businesses that donate a specified minimum amount to qualified programs, including GRASP. Because at least half the students are from low-income families, donations to GRASP may qualify for both a traditional federal charitable deduction and for a 40% state income tax credit. GRASP will complete the necessary paperwork to ensure the issuance of Virginia state tax credits. For more information about the organization, visit http://www.grasp4virginia.com and always consult your tax professional before claiming any tax benefits.

About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge enriches quality of life by responding to needs and inspiring philanthropy in our community. The Foundation serves the communities of Staunton and Waynesboro, as well as Augusta, Nelson and Highland counties. The Community Foundation is able give almost $500,000 annually in awards, grants and scholarships. As one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the Central Blue Ridge, the Foundation is committed to careful stewardship of and thoughtful investment in our region’s future. Unlike other non-profit organizations, the Community Foundation is endowed in perpetuity. The cumulative value of the Foundation’s gifts exceeds $3.7 million. For more information, visit http://www.communityfoundationcbr.org/.