With a mission to make dreams real for school-aged children in Stanislaus County through programs that enrich and stimulate their minds and bodies, as well as teach values through service learning, the Make Dreams Real Endowment announced the opening for this year’s grant application period.
The Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund was founded by the late Carl Boyett and his wife Carole Boyett of Boyett Petroleum in 2009 in order to provide funding support for children’s programs in Stanislaus County. Administered by the Stanislaus Community Foundation, the fund has awarded $573,500 in grants since its inception and the fund anticipates granting over $200,000 in financial support to local organizations this year.
The service learning aspect of the grant award encourages and establishes a process of accountability and volunteerism in the community. Children who participate in the supported programs are encouraged to volunteer within the program, fundraise and help with community events.
“Carl Boyett was a visionary; passionate in his quest to make dreams become a reality for underserved youth,” said Carole Boyett. “The passion he instilled in the many lives he touched left a legacy that will grow and prosper for years to come.”
The money for the Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund is raised solely through the annual Make Dreams Real Golf Tournament in conjunction with a “Send a Kid to Camp” donation drive at all Cruisers convenience stores and gas stations owned by Boyett Petroleum in the Central Valley. Boyett Petroleum underwrites the entire cost of the tournament so that every dollar received goes into the endowment fund with absolutely no deductions.
The 27th annual Make Dreams Real Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 19 at Del Rio, Oakdale and Turlock Golf and Country Clubs. Teams will be assigned to a course and everyone will play concurrently. Following the tournament, a dinner reception will take place at the Del Rio Golf and Country Club in Modesto for all golfers and guests.
Past recipients of Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund grants include Salida Union School District, Empire Union School District, Cardozo Middle School in Riverbank, Stanislaus Union School District and Sylvan Union School District, all which received funding for Foothill Horizons Outdoor Education Camp. Others include National Ag Science Center in Modesto for the Summer Science Camp, Tuolumne River Trust for the Tuolumne River Adventures Club, Juline Foundation for the Outreach Dance Program at Everett School, United Way/Center for Human Services for the Graduation Coach Program, Modesto Symphony Orchestra for the Youth Carnegie Program, Oakdale Education Foundation, and Society for Disabilities for the Adapted Bike Camp.
Organizations with programs that align with the Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund mission, vision and grant guidelines are encouraged to apply. For more information on eligibility and the MDR grant, visit stanislausc.org/receive/current-grant-cycles. Grant applications will be accepted via email only and must be received no later than May 1.
