North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Awards Grants to Promote Health, Science and Education

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite challenging economic conditions in 2009, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation maintained its commitment to furthering education, science and health by awarding more than $2 million in grants to support programs, Foundation Chairman Robert A. Ingram said today.

Ingram announced that in 2009, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation awarded grants totaling $2,230,795. The Foundation began awarding grants in 1987 and collectively has provided $45.6 million over the years.

The grants are made through the Foundation's traditional grant program and the Ribbon of Hope program. Additionally, the Foundation continued its support of two other long-standing programs: the GlaxoSmithKline Women in Science Scholars program and the GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards program.

"While in 2009, as the state, the country – indeed, the world – braced for some of the worst economic news seen in decades, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation embraced the state of North Carolina, helping to meet the numerous needs of individuals, families, and entire communities," Ingram said, noting the grants support programs ranging from one-on-one mentoring for at-risk youth, to school readiness and childhood development programs, literacy skills, and environmental education.

Traditional Grant Program

In addition to supporting several multi-year grants awarded in previous years, the Foundation announced the following new traditional grants awarded in 2009:

• Center for Child & Family Health, $220,751 – three-year grant to support the Center's Child and Parent Support Services' program "Baby College: First Step," targeting improved school readiness and educational outcomes for the children in East Durham neighborhoods.
• Forsyth Medical Center Foundation, $254,815 – three-year grant to support the development of an accredited associate of applied science degree (AAS) for pharmacy technology, which will strengthen pharmacy technician training.
• North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, $405,000 – three-year grant will help expand the Resources in Communities Helps Encourage Solutions (RICHES) project, which works to improve the health of women of reproductive age in all North Carolina counties.
• N.C. Center for Public Policy Research, Inc., $237,000 – two-year grant to support the "Project to Revive and Reform Mental Health Reform in North Carolina," which will involve evaluating the 2001 mental health reforms and privatization efforts in the state.
• North Carolina Public Health Association, $24,000 – to administer the GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards program.

Ribbon of Hope Program

The Foundation's Ribbon of Hope Program invites nonprofits to apply for one-time grants of $25,000 for projects furthering science, health and education in their communities. The Foundation Board of Directors has awarded grants to over 59 nonprofits under this program to date. In 2009, grants were awarded to:

• Alliance for Children & Youth, Gaston County
• Asheville City Schools Foundation, Buncombe County
• Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Henderson County
• Communities in Schools of Brunswick County, Inc.
• Communities in Schools of Transylvania County
• Communities in Schools of Montgomery County
• East Carolina University, Pitt County
• Family Violence Prevention Center Inc., Wake County
• Food for Thought, Dare County
• Great Oak Youth Development Centers, Inc., Cumberland County
• Greater Beulaville Revitalization, Duplin County
• Gregory B. Davis Foundation, Northampton County
• International House, Mecklenburg County
• Latino Advocacy Coalition, Henderson County
• Learning Assistance Inc., Durham County
• National Inventors Hall of Fame® Foundation, Ohio – program benefits Carteret County
• North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, Durham County
• Port Discover, Pasquotank County
• Stokes County Arts Council, Stokes County

Women in Science Scholars Program

Since 1993, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has paid more $1.56 million to support the Women in Science Scholars program at 29 North Carolina colleges and universities. This unique program provides scholarships for college students studying science, and pairs the scholars with professional women scientists at GlaxoSmithKline, who serve as their mentors.

The program provides an endowed scholarship for each school, providing discretion for the school to invest the money and use the return to fund a yearly scholarship. Last year, in light of the economic downturn's effect on investments, the Foundation pledged another $2,000 to each school for three years, to ensure the scholarship program would stay on track.

The Foundation also provides annual support for the GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards Program, which recognizes public health workers and programs that improve the health status of children. The program honors North Carolina public health professionals and departments for innovative, creative and successful approaches to improving the lives of our younger generations.

For more information about the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, contact 919-483-2140.

SOURCE North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation