FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2011 Archer Foundation provides $7,500 in scholarships for Kids City-Hilltop program. Bloomington, IN – The George E. Archer Foundation has approved a grant of $7,500 to fund scholarships for children who are participating in this summer’s Kid City program at Hilltop Gardens.  The program, initiated this year, is a collaboration between Indiana University’s Hilltop and the City of Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation Department.  “This is a very generous gesture,” said Parks and Recreation Department director Mick Renneisen.  “It will ensure the long-term continuation of the Hilltop camp, a long-standing tradition that has a new life with this gift.” Mayor Mark Kruzan thanked the George E. Archer Foundation for reaching out to the Kid City kids. “Everyone wins when we can combine resources and good programs,” he said. “These scholarships will provide wonderful opportunities for kids, enabling them to learn life-long gardening  skills.”  Archer Foundation President Judith Granbois said, “We are delighted to be able to continue our Foundation’s long history of support for Hilltop, and we hope that this donation will allow more children to learn about gardening, nature and good nutrition.” Campers in the Kid City-Hilltop program have an opportunity to plant, develop, and grow their own gardens and learn about the natural environment, all in the setting of a Kid City camp. In addition to gardening, participants experience field trips, guest presentations, and weekly swimming at IU’s outdoor pool. Enrollment is open to children in kindergarten through grade 4.  Campers may enroll for one-week sessions, attending camp for mornings only or opting for a full-day schedule. The George E. Archer Foundation, formerly the Hilltop Educational Foundation, is a private nonprofit established in 1984 to support children’s gardening education. It offers financial support to children’s gardening programs in seven south central Indiana counties.  For more information, visit www.archerfoundation.org   Media Contact: Judith Granbois President The George E. Archer Foundation jgranbois@archerfoundation.org  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2010   The George E. Archer Foundation Expands Kids’ Gardening to Eight Counties in South Central Indiana Bloomington, IN - Local nonprofit, The George E. Archer Foundation, takes its donor’s words literally -- “to help boys and girls learn about gardening” — and puts its money where its mission is.  Beginning Fall 2010, The George E. Archer Foundation will make grants available for youth gardening education in eight south central Indiana counties: Bartholomew, Brown, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan and Owen.   “Awareness is growing around locally grown food, organic and sustainable agriculture and nutrition education. The time is right to respond to these national trends and reach more children,” said Judith Granbois, President of The George E. Archer Foundation (previously the Hilltop Educational Foundation).  "We've been supporting youth gardening education and the legacy of Hilltop at Indiana University for 26 years now, and we are excited to share our experience and expertise with the broader community."   The Archer Foundation's youth gardening grants are open to nonprofit organizations and educators interested in teaching kids to garden. Programs of special interest to the foundation include school gardens and curriculum integration for K-8, afterschool and summer programs, as well as programs serving children with special needs and lower income youth. Basic Grants are generally between $250 and $1,000, and Discretionary Grants may be more. Grant Cycle II is currently open and the deadline has been extended to November 1, 2010.   According to Archer Foundation CFO, Arthur Jacques, “Our goal is to diversify grant opportunities because what we are doing touches so many aspects of children’s lives — from environmental awareness, to academic achievement, to health and nutrition and even emotional development. We intend to support new and existing children’s gardening initiatives and to publish program results to facilitate learning.”   About The George E. Archer Foundation: The George E. Archer Foundation is an independent private foundation established in 1984 and located in Bloomington, Indiana. For more information, visit www.archerfoundation.org   Media Contact: Judith Granbois President The George E. Archer Foundation jgranbois@archerfoundation.org