Moody Foundation Launches Generation Moody Education Initiative With $8,613,679 Investment

GALVESTON, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Moody Foundation has launched its Generation Moody Education Initiative, a signature project benefitting Galveston Island by providing a catalyst for exceptional education opportunities for infants through high school and into post-secondary learning. Generation Moody Education Initiative launches with four grant recipients, totaling a $8,613,679 initial commitment from the Moody Foundation.

"Boosting educational attainment is one of the best ways to contribute to the prosperity of any community," said Ross R. Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and CEO of National Western Life Group. "The Generation Moody Education Initiative aims to impact every Galveston Island child over the next 10 to 20 years, steadily building students' achievement from cradle to career."

"We see the Generation Moody Education Initiative as an investment in the next generation of Galvestonians," said Frances Moody-Dahlberg, chairman and executive director of the Moody Foundation. "Over time, the Generation Moody grants will provide support for the best practices and demonstrated outcomes that enable educational excellence. We believe this bold plan is the very kind of undertaking our founders, W.L. Moody, Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody, would have envisioned for their beloved community."

"Just as the Moody Foundation is steeped in Galveston's amazing history, it is equally committed to Galveston's future," said Elizabeth Moody, trustee of the Foundation. "I am truly happy that Generation Moody grants will encourage lasting, sustainable programs to benefit students now and for decades to come." 

Generation Moody Education Initiative grants will support recipients who are focused on student achievement in areas such as literacy, science, technology and math. The Generation Moody Education Initiative also connects longstanding Moody Foundation projects such as the Moody Scholars program (c. 1969) and more recent endeavors like the Moody Early Childhood Education Center with new support for after school, summer school and family literacy programs, new professional development initiatives as well as some targeted facility maintenance and upgrades.  Grant recipients include:

Galveston Independent School District
Moody Early Childhood Center
Odyssey Academy 
SMART Family Literacy

"The Moody Foundation knows that strategic and purposeful planning, using evidenced based interventions, can have a positive effect on a child's success at any age," said Angela Blair, director of education for the Moody Foundation. "We're excited to join forces with Galveston Island schools and nonprofits in a community wide effort to enhance educational attainment. Together, we can help provide a continuous path of opportunities for the children of Galveston Island...'from cradle to career.'"

About the Moody Foundation
The Moody Foundation was established by W.L. Moody, Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody in 1942 to share their good fortune and make a difference in the lives of the people of Texas. Since then, the Moody Foundation has made more than $1.2 billion in grants throughout the state to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured and inspired generations of Texans. Learn more at MoodyF.org.

SOURCE The Moody Foundation