The Darlington Excellence in Education Fund awards annual grants for creative and innovative educational programs in Darlington-area schools to enhance learning opportunities beyond the regular curriculum.
Funder: Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin
Due Dates: October 15, 2026 (Annual grant application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Typical annual total: ~$11,500 awarded; individual grant sizes vary.
Summary: Supports creative, innovative educational programs and achievement in Darlington-area schools through annual, community-driven grants.
The Darlington Excellence in Education Fund provides annual grants to public and private schools in the Darlington area, fostering creative and innovative educational programs and rewarding outstanding achievement among teachers and students. Established in 2003 through a bequest from Dr. Lyle Olson, the fund operates independently of school board oversight and is managed by a local advisory board. Its goal is to strengthen the Darlington school community by funding projects and programs that fall outside the regular district operating budget, using private charitable resources to enhance educational opportunities.