BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick Community Education Foundation announced grants totalling $26,000 for 20 programs.

The announcement was made in March 12 at Brunswick Junior High School.

Some of the funding will go toward purchasing and adapting books for school and town libraries to make reading materials more accessible to students with special needs. Other grant programs include a multi-year project that will establish a marine aquarium and phytoplankton culture in the Brunswick High School science department. An additional project will focus on flexible seating for fidgety middle school students to meet their unique set of growing needs.

BCEF is a nonprofit organization that supports public school students and teachers by raising and distributing funds for initiatives and enrichment activities.

This is the fifth year of grant-giving, according to BCEF board member Susan Olcott. In all, the organization has awarded nearly $200,000 throughout the public schools, including the REAL School and Region 10 Vocational High School.

According to Olcott, grant applications are accepted once a year and are reviewed by a committee of education professionals who are not affiliated with a school. 

“They look for projects that can impact different groups of students within the district and help to further the mission of the Brunswick schools by supporting curriculum goals,” Olcott said.

BCEF raises funds through annual fundraising and events.

The Spark, BCEF’s largest annual fundraiser, is coming up April 6 at Frontier in Fort Andross on Maine Street. Tickets are $45 per person. There will be live music, bar games and a photo booth at the event.

“The Spark raises awareness of the work of BCEF and helps generate enthusiasm from those who would like to support us in any way that they can,” Olcott said. “Because we are a small foundation that relies primarily on individual donations, it is critical that we maintain and grow the support of the community so that we can continue to fund wonderful projects.”

Patti McDonald can be reached at 780-9123 or pmcdonald@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @pmcdonaldme.

The Spark, Brunswick Community Education Foundation’s annual fundraiser, is on April 6 at Frontier.