The "Polar Bear Initiative" for 2021

Supporting Educational Enhancements for Northridge Students through the
Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund​  - a component fund of The Dayton Foundation
The Polar Bear Fund Initiative
The last couple of years have been a challenge for the Northridge school district, with the tornado devastation in 2019, and the COVID-19 related setbacks and strains on the budget in 2020, continuing into 2021. To keep the program going for the 2021-2022 school year, the Northridge Optimist Club and The Dayton Foundation are seeking donors to help sustain the kind of support that enriches the educational experience for the students. We are reaching out to friends of the Northridge Optimist Club, Northridge alumni, area businesses, and community members to help support these efforts for the coming school year, and beyond.
​See the donation information at the right.  
Why this Year is Important for the Future:
Since the "Polar Bear Initiative" for 2020 was begun in August (to replace the loss of income from the cancelled golf outing) the fund received $4900 in donations, so the rest of the 2021 school year will be covered. But with three grant cycles due for the 2021-2022 school year, more will be needed to maintain the approximate $4500 per year of grant money. So the club is asking friends of the Northridge community to consider a donation.
What is the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund?
The THE NORTHRIDGE POLAR BEAR FOUNDATION FUND was started by Northridge Local Schools as an endowment with The Dayton Foundation for funding school related programs that were not covered by school district budgets. The fund was started with an initial investment of $23,000, $16,000 of which was donated by Northridge Optimist Club. The stipulation for the use of funds was to preclude its use for scholarships.
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The disbursement of funds is handled as a grant process, with an advisory committee that evaluates applications for funds.  The Northridge Optimist Club has three members on the advisory committee, which also includes the Superintendent of Northridge Schools, and a representative from The Dayton Foundation. The application form is made available through the school. 
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Several grants have been made over the past few years for various educational programs initiated by teachers for enhancing and developing students' reading, writing, vocabulary, creative, and organizing skills.  In July of 2016 the club donated an additional $5,000 to the Polar Bear Fund. As of 2020 the club has contributed nearly $30,000 to the Polar Bear Fund and awards have been granted for about the same amount. The fund is currently disbursing about $4500 or more per school year for educational enhancements to benefit the learning experience of Northridge students of all grade levels. 
The Northridge Optimist Club is proud of its contributions to this fund and recognizes the value of enhancing the educational experience for Northridge students.  
​Some Examples of Polar Bear Grants:
A total of $5084 in grants were awarded in the 2019-2020 school year, to supplement several educational programs, including the following:
• An awards dinner honoring the academically top 20% of graduating seniors
• A "great books" program for 4th grade language arts students
• Books for a 7th grade classroom
• High school art projects
• Math study programs for grades 3 and 5
• Science projects for STEM students
• Social skills programs for K-4
• "Girls on the Run" programs for grades 3 and 5
• Books designed for special ed students
• Two Muse Machine performances at the school for grades 6-12
• Some examples of grants for the 2020-2021  school year are as follows: 
 • To fund a project called "BookSource Classroom" which provides students with reading materials electronically to enhance, track, and evaluate their reading and writing skills. 
• To fund a "Climate and Culture Team project" to enhance the social-emotional competence of K-12 students. 
• To fund the replacement of math picture books that were lost in the Grafton Kennedy school destruction. 
(In all three cases, funds received for the projects will provide educational benefits on an ongoing basis, beyond just this school year).
These are typical of the types of programs that are supported - things that fall outside of what is provided by the school district curriculum, but that provide great enrichment and added scope to the student experience. ​
We hope to be able to support Northridge education with grants
​ for the 2021-2022 school year, and beyond at the same level as in the past. 
With your help the "Polar Bear Initiative" can make this possible.
Secure online credit card donations to the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund can be made directly to The Dayton Foundation by clicking the "Donate" button which will transfer you from this website to the appropriate fund donation page on The Dayton Foundation's website.
Thank you for your desire to contribute and help make a difference. Please note the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund #3451 is a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, and we process all gifts and donations through their website. Kindly click the ‘Donate’ button and you will be redirected to the foundation's website where you will be able to contribute to the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund #3451.  Thank you for your support!
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​If you prefer to donate by check, you may download a printable mail-in form by clicking the button below. Checks should be made out to The Dayton Foundation, with "for the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund #3451" filled out in the notation area.
Above: an excerpt from the Feb. 2019 issue of "Dividends", published by Northridge Schools, featuring a presentation of Polar Bear grants at a Northridge School Board meeting.
Click the photo to download the full copy (story on page 2).
Thank You!
Thanks to the following donors to the Polar Bear Foundation Fund:
The "Polar Bear Initiative" 2020 mailings were sent out in mid-August of 2020. Donations posted at The Dayton Foundation through the end of December, 2020 are for a total of $4900. "The Polar Bear Initiative" continues in 2021, with donations also listed below.
Thanks to these donors for donations made so far in 2021:
• Mr. & Mrs. David Williamson
​• Rex Banner
Thanks to these donors, from August through December, 2020:
• Cargill, Diana Schaefer
• FC Industries, Inc., Mr. Michael Casella
• Levin Porter and Associates, Inc.
​• Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Snider
• Mr. & Mrs. Don Knoth
• Brookville Stor-N-Lock
• Rieck Services Group
• Schumacher Crane Rental
• Mr. & Mrs. J. Michael Gorman
• Manning & Associates CPA's
• Tod Brining
• First Financial Bank, Troy, Ohio
• Loges Sales & Service, Tom Loges
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Miske
• Rathweg Insurance Associates
• Chris Young
• Mr. & Mrs. Randy Zuercher