LOWELL | For the seventh straight year, the Tri-Creek Education Foundation has a dollar-for-dollar matching grant, this time for $15,000.

"Each donation received during the grant period will be directed to the fund chosen by the donor with the matching amount supporting the same fund. In other words, the gift will double in value," said Cheryl Rosevear, foundation president.

The matching grant period begins now and will continue through Dec. 31 or until the match has been met, whichever comes first, Rosevear said.

The donor-directed fund can direct their gifts to specific schools, classrooms and programs. Other funds include the endowment fund, which ensures the monetary support of Tri-Creek students for generations to come since its principal cannot be touched, as well as the operating fund, grant fund and scholarship fund.

The operating fund covers expenses such as postage and office supplies and the grant fund provides funding for all classroom grants. A number of scholarships are supported through the scholarship fund and donations may be made to specific, established scholarships, if desired.

"In the past, the match has been fulfilled with a matter of a few weeks with some of the foundation funds being matched within days," Rosevear said. "In these tough economic times, it is hard for anyone to determine where to invest their money; however, investing in our children's education is an excellent and sound idea."

All gifts are tax exempt as allowable by law.

For more information, contact Rosevear by mail at Tri-Creek Education Foundation, Inc., 195 W. Oakley Ave., Lowell, IN 46356, or call (219) 696-6661, ext. 118. Inquiries may also be e-mailed to tcef@tricreek.k12.in.us.