The Seattle Foundation’s Community Grantmaking Program has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Bellevue Schools Foundation in support of the Volunteers in Bellevue’s Education System (VIBES) mentoring program.

The Bellevue Schools Foundation has supported the VIBES mentoring program since 1991 to provide a source of extra help for students who are at-risk for academic failure or dropping out of school. The program connects students with adult mentors who meet with them on a weekly basis in the classroom or designated area at the school. More than 400 volunteer mentors help students in the Bellevue School District annually.

VIBES also supports College Corps, providing high school seniors with a volunteer who will help guide them through the college application process.

The Seattle Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in the region, awarding nearly $50 million in grants each year. The grant presented to VIBES will be paid by gifts given to the Seattle Foundation from the Barbara and Lucile Calef Children’s Fund, Barbara and Lucile Calef Fund for Literacy, William Schnatterly Memorial Fund, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Fund.

For more information about VIBES and the Bellevue Schools Foundation contact 425-456-4199 or visit www.bsd405.org.