Grants available to help schools arrange trips to Lincoln Presidential Library

[May 30, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- Before clearing out their desks for the summer, teachers and principals should mark Sept. 1 on their calendars. That's the deadline for schools to apply for a field trip grant to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

The Winnick Family Foundation is offering field trip grants through the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. They're for grades four through 12 in public and private schools nationwide that have a low-income enrollment above 30 percent.

The grants help defray the cost of transportation to the presidential library and museum. Groups receiving a grant are also exempt from the museum admission fee. A total of $20,500 is available to distribute this year.

Visit http://bit.ly/WinnickGrant for grant applications, which must be postmarked by Sept. 1. The grant awards will be announced beginning Oct. 1. For more information, call 217-558-8929 or email [e-mail].

A total of 25 schools and organizations received grants for the 2012-2013 school year.

The field trip grants are coordinated through the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum's Department of Education, which provides educational opportunities for learners of all ages to explore Illinois and American history and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

[Text from Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]