Nissan Donates $50,000 To Mini-Grant Education Program

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) and the Business Education Partnership Foundation (BEP) at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce today announced a $50,000 grant renewal for the BEP/Nissan Teacher Mini-Grant program. The grass-roots initiative provides teachers in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City school systems with mini-grants to fund special projects for their classes.

During the past ten years, Nissan has contributed $525,000 to the mini-grant program for creative programs in core subject areas including math and science. This program provides funding for teachers to use on classroom projects that represent ideas over and beyond their required curriculum.

“Nissan is committed to supporting this very worthwhile program benefiting students and teachers in the community where we work and live,” said Susan Brennan, senior vice president, U.S. manufacturing. “This program goes directly into the classroom providing teachers with the tools they need for special projects that add to the curriculum.”

The BEP/Nissan Mini-Grants were established in 2001 and are awarded to teachers each Spring and Fall. Applications are available in January and August. Each semester over 200 applications are judged by a blind panel, with financial prizes of up to $500 awarded to the most innovative proposals.

“We thank Nissan for their continued support of this program,” said Lee Rennick, Executive Director Business Education Partnership Foundation, “Before this program was created by the BEP Board of Directors in 1990, many teachers took money out of their own pockets or did in-class fundraising to have funds to make curriculum come to life for their students. Every year teachers receiving grants write the BEP about how this program has a direct positive and lasting effect on their student’s lives.”

To apply for the BEP/Nissan mini-grant, go to http://www.rutherfordbep.org/programs/nissan-teacher-mini-grants/application-form.php.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

Rutherford County Business Education Partnership
The Business Education Partnership (BEP) Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization created by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, forms and sustains valuable relationships between Murfreesboro City and Rutherford County schools with businesses in Rutherford County. With energetic, innovative programs, its purpose is to create outstanding schools by applying private and public sector resources to bold ideas that prepare today’s primary, elementary, middle and high school students to be tomorrow’s work force and future leaders. Learn more at www.RutherfordBEP.org.

Contact Information:
Stephanie Valdez Streaty
Corporate Communications
Nissan North America, Inc.
(615) 725-3406
www.nissannews.com