Johnsons Announce Charlotte Area Funding Opportunity in Partnership with Lowe's Toolbox for Education

Jimmie Johnson, who seems to have EVERYTHING going for him, does share the wealth. His latest effort is being done with his primary sponsor, Lowe’s. In addition to direct donations to organizations, creating or contributing to grant making funds is a key way to get potential recipients in the habit of positioning and marketing themselves in the increasingly competitive non-profit world.

The full article can be found at http://www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org/News/News-Archives/Johnsons-Announce-Charlotte-Education-Initiative.aspx, with an excerpt provided below.

CHARLOTTE , N.C. (Aug. 24, 2009) – Chandra and Jimmie Johnson announced a $150,000 commitment for K-12 education in the Charlotte area today.   The foundation has partnered with Lowe’s, Johnson’s primary sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and its Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program to offer a competitive grant opportunity to four local school districts in the city where the Johnsons currently reside.  The Johnsons have also announced similar initiatives in their hometowns in California and Oklahoma, bringing the total commitment to education to more than $500,000.

“This year we felt that education was the right place to focus our fundraising efforts,” said Johnson, three-time, reigning Sprint Cup champion. “Education is something that is very important to Chani and me. Even when I first started out, my parents made me keep my grades up or I wasn’t allowed to race. I think it’s important to make sure we give teachers and students the best tools possible and hopefully, these grants will help.”  Jimmie Johnson Lowe's

Public K-12 programs or 501c(3) parent group associations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, Mooresville Graded School District, Iredell-Statesville Schools, and Cabarrus County School District may apply for a Champions Grant through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation website, www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.  The Champions Grants will range from $25,000-$100,000.  The grant application process closes on October 16.

The Johnsons were joined at the announcement by the superintendents and representatives from the four school districts including Dr. Peter C. Gorman, Dr. Mark Edwards and Dr. Barry Shepherd.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to compete for the Champions Grants,” said Dr. Peter C. Gorman, superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. “It’s a great opportunity for our teachers and principals to exercise creativity and flexibility, and it will give our students access to more resources. We appreciate the generosity of Chandra and Jimmie Johnson and Lowe’s in making these grants happen.”   (The article continues at http://www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org/News/News-Archives/Johnsons-Announce-Charlotte-Education-Initiative.aspx)