Community Foundation Announces $150,000 donor advised grant to support Decatur Public Schools Prep Academy
Macon County – The Community Foundation of Macon County today announced a $150,000 donor
advised grant from Dr. Elizabeth Jeffery and David Snoeyenbos to Decatur Public Schools District #61 to
support their Prep Academy. The grant funding will be distributed over two years, $75,000 now and
$75,000 in January 2024.
The Prep Academy is a partnership between Decatur Public Schools District #61 and Richland
Community College, offering selected DPS students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma
and an Associate’s Degree from Richland upon completion of the 4-year program during high school.
“DPS is so thankful to the donors for this tremendous contribution to support the district’s Prep
Academy,” said Ashley Grayned, DPS Executive Director of Innovative Programs and Strategic Planning.
“To be able to earn a college degree, for free, while completing a high school education is an option
that’s not available in all districts. The fact that we’re offering it in Decatur Public Schools will give our
students a competitive edge for both future college and career opportunities.”
The program is free for DPS students, who take classes both from DPS teachers and Richland professors
at no cost to them or their families. The Prep Academy is now enrolling their third cohort of students.
For more information Decatur Public Schools eighth graders can visit dps61.org/prepacademy or contact
agrayned@dps61.org. The application deadline is January 30.
Prep Academy participants begin their freshman year on their high school campus. The first year
includes various college-ready topics to aid with preparation for college-level coursework goals. Prep
Academy sophomore students continue on their high school campus and will earn 12 college credit
hours. Third year Prep Academy students may transition to RCC’s campus five mornings per week and
have the opportunity to earn 24 credit hours. During their third-year experience, students continue
working on the general education core curriculum and begin exploring college course electives. The Prep
Academy concludes with seniors earning the remaining 24 credit hours, fulfilling the requirements of
their high school diploma and associate degree.
As Macon County’s community foundation, the CFMC combines the contributions of donors past and
present to distribute grants that help make our community better for all. Through the donor advised
fund partnership, CFMC staff worked closely with Dr. Jeffery and Snoeyenbos to identify organizations
that fit within the couple’s giving priorities and interests. “We greatly appreciate how much detail and
valuable information the CFMC provides on each agency and their mission, which is helpful to our
education and important in building a long-term relationship,” said Dr. Jeffery.
Jeffery has a PhD in biochemistry and is retired from a career in nutrition research at the University of
Illinois, Urbana. Snoeyenbos is retired from an engineering and fabrication business that he developed.
The couple created their fund with the CFMC in 2001 and moved their private foundation to the CFMC
in 2004. Their fund is the foundation’s seventh fund. With the addition of the Jeffery/Snoeyenbos
funding, CFMC donors have contributed $230,000 to support the Prep Academy since its inception in
2021.
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Established in 2000, The Community Foundation of Macon County stewards more than 380 funds and
total assets of $45 million. To date, The Community Foundation has distributed $43 million to charitable
organizations and endeavors. For more information about The Community Foundation of Macon County,
visit maconcountygives.org.
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