Saturday Academy/Children's Investment Fund ($250,000) with Paul Allen Family Foundation ($200,000) and local couple (50,000): for a total investment of $500,000

Support from the Portland Children's Investment Fund, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and David and Christine Vernier totaling $500,000 will go to Saturday Academy to enrich the educations of kids in after-school programs.

            Specifically, the grants will allow the organization to hire more teachers and deliver after-school classes in low-income schools over the next three years.

            The Children's Investment Fund grant of $250,000 from its Leverage Fund was matched with $200,000 from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and $50,000 from David and Christine Vernier, a Portland couple and owners of Vernier Software & Technology, a Beaverton-based company that produces and distributes science software and hardware for education.

            The grant will allow Saturday Academy to serve nearly 2,500 additional low-income Portland students beginning this fall and through Winter 2009.  The classes for students in grades four through eight include robotics, computer game design, forensics and other topics in science, math, technology, writing, humanities and the arts.

            "These grants allow us to take Saturday Academy to the kids in their own schools, as well as to expand the type of classes offered. With every instructor we add, we have the opportunity to develop innovative experiences for young people," said Saturday Academy's Executive Director Joyce Cresswell.  "These grants will greatly expand our offerings as well as reach a whole new group of kids."

            Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, chair of the Children's Investment Fund Allocation Committee, said quality after-school programs have been shown to improve student academic performance, increase school attendance and decrease at-risk behavior.

            "My hope is that these classes will help students develop a passion for learning and provide them a unique and valuable educational experience they otherwise would not have," Saltzman said.

            David Vernier noted: "We have always been supportive of Saturday Academy and its classes. What excited us about this new program is the fact that it will bring great hands-on activities to kids who normally would not have the opportunity to take a class like those offered at Saturday Academy."

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            The Children's Investment Fund's contribution to Saturday Academy is the fifth allocation from its Leverage Fund created in December 2004 to match public investments with private funders. Thus far, $2 million has been allocated from the Leverage Fund to maximize community impact and make more resources available to Portland's children. These funds have been matched dollar for dollar with private funds for a total investment of $4 million.  Another $500,000 Investment Fund grant is in the works and will be announced in the coming weeks.

About The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

        Launched in 2004 through the consolidation of Allen's six private foundations (first established in 1988), the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on making positive and measurable change in the Pacific Northwest.  Its mission is to build healthy communities and advance social progress through four strategic programs.  The Foundation reviews and awards grants twice per year, and accepts applications from eligible organizations located in - or serving the populations of - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Visit the Foundation online at http://www.pgafamilyfoundation.com/.

Contact: Michael Nank/206-342-2000

About Saturday Academy

         Saturday Academy offers all students exceptional opportunities for enriched learning by enlisting community professionals to share facilities, equipment and expertise through hands-on classes, workshops and internships for students in grades first through 12.  Since 1983, Saturday Academy has provided instruction to more than 110,000 students throughout Oregon and SW Washington. Need-based tuition assistance is provided for classes and workshops.  All students are welcome. http://www.saturdayacademy.org/.

Contact: Joyce Cresswell/503-725-2338 or Madeline Turnock/503-803-3729

About the Verniers

            David and Christine Vernier are the founders of Vernier Software & Technology, a Beaverton-based company that produces and distributes science software and hardware for education.  The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The couple is involved in local charitable organizations supporting education, the environment and social causes.

Contact: David Vernier/503-277-2299

About the Children's Investment Fund                                                        

            In 2002 Portland voters passed Measure 26-33 creating the Children's Investment Fund.  The Fund provides approximately $10 million a year for five years to support 61 programs in early childhood development, after-school and mentoring and child abuse prevention and intervention.

Contact: Mary Gay Broderick/503-823-2947  

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