Lincoln's Challenge Receives $10,000 Grant From Bill and Melinda Gates

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois -- The Illinois National Guard Lincoln's Challenge Program received a $10,000 grant from Bill and Melinda Gates to help establish a much-needed reading laboratory at the Rantoul facility.

In the letter from the William H. Gates Foundation announcing the grant, Foundation director William H. Gates, Sr., said, "The Foundation has approved funding this grant in recognition of the outstanding effort of the Illinois National Guard in helping young people find a new direction for their lives."

Lincoln's Challenge has already received the $10,000 check from the William H. Gates Foundation. It has been added to a grant of equal amount from State Attorney General Jim Ryan. The $20,000 in combined grant monies is being held in a trust account until the reading laboratory fund reaches its $47,000 goal.

"We are delighted to have received this generous gift and look forward to raising the remaining $27,000 which will allow us to complete this vital project," said Maj. Gen. Richard G. Austin, Illinois Adjutant General. "Given the importance of reading, we must provide our students with every opportunity to learn and using state-of-the-art technology is clearly an important addition to the learning process. We are extremely grateful to the Gates Foundation."

Lincoln's Challenge is an innovative program aimed at helping high school dropouts earn their general equivalency diplomas. Illinois youth ages 16-18 who have dropped out of school and want a second chance attend the 22-week resident phase at the Lincoln's Challenge facility in Rantoul. Following completion of the 22-week resident phase, program graduates are paired up with mentors who work with them for one year to help keep them moving on the right path toward success.

For more information about the Lincoln's Challenge Program or for those interested in making a contribution to the reading laboratory fundraising campaign, call 1-800-851-2166.