KEELER GRANT PROGRAM
In 2012, the Keeler Grant Program was established through a testamentary gift to the T. L. L. Temple Foundation by Thomas Temple Keeler and his wife, Cora. The Keeler Endowment was created in memory of Mr. Keeler’s grandfather, T. L. L. Temple, and Mr. Keeler’s mother, Marguerite Temple Payne.
Keeler Program grants are awarded annually to invited charitable organizations, the majority being non-profit agencies located within the Foundation’s Primary Geographic Area of Interest (PGAI).
For more information about the Keeler Grant Program, or to see if you qualify,please contact Tami Musick at either 936-634-3900 or tmusick (at) tlltf.org.
Investing to expand access to high quality educational opportunities for residents of East Texas that leads to post-secondary marketable credentials.
Challenges of East Texas
- 28% of the service area 8th graders do NOT graduate from high school.
- Only 19% of the 8th graders in the service area go on to complete any post-secondary credential (including Certificate, Associate, or Bachelor’s degree).
- 3 out of every 10 (34.35%) children in grade 4 in the service area tested below the “proficient” level for the English Language Arts portion of the state-specific standardized test.
- 53% of students in the service area assessed in kindergarten met kindergarten ready standards.
- Out of the 14,724 people living in North Lufkin, 30% live below the poverty line.
Areas of Interest
- Ensure that young children are kindergarten ready.
- Close the literacy and mathematics achievement gap for all students.
- Increase the number of students that enter a community college or a university and complete a certificate, an associate, or a bachelor’s degree; especially for low socioeconomic minority young people.
- Re-engage young adults to complete high school and post-secondary credentials.
- Develop industry & career pathways for students to obtain marketable skills and credentials.