Fourth-graders in teacher Rebecca Weeks’ class at Ocean Avenue Elementary School have won a $500 Painting for a Purpose grant to buy new recreation equipment for the school. “We have over 300 students that attend Ocean Avenue Elementary School. This recess equipment could reach all of those children!” the students wrote in their grant application. “We currently don’t have enough equipment for everyone to use, not enough options and some of our equipment is broken.” 

The students’ ideas for the grant money include using it for new soccer goals, balls for soccer, basketball, football and four-square, art and craft supplies, hula hoops, jump ropes and sleds.

Painting for a Purpose is a local nonprofit organization founded by teachers. It brings creative people together to paint whimsical decorative items that they sell to raise money to fund service-learning projects led by Portland Public Schools students who want to make a difference. Students apply for the funding by writing grant proposals and can receive up to $500 to put their ideas into action.

PPS teachers and students: Painting for a Purpose has more grant available to help YOU with your service-learning project. Learn more and apply.