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Grants help support those working to prioritize educational and literacy needs  

As the school year comes to a virtual close for children across the state, fee-only wealth management firm Parsec Financial in Tryon, announces $200,000 in unrestricted Parsec Prize grants to educational and literacy-based organizations across N.C, including a $10,000 grant to Rutherfordton-based non-profit KidSenses Inc.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without a big investment in education, so we are honored to celebrate our 40^th anniversary by focusing this year’s Parsec Prize grants on supporting educational and literacy programs in the communities in which we serve,” Parsec CEO Rick Manske said.

Parsec chose 15 awardees to commemorate the 15^th year of the Parsec Prize. The Parsec Prize committee prioritized funding literacy programs and K-12 education. They also decided to support a few niche educational needs, such as sciences, arts, leadership training, conservation and special needs.

“This generous grant from Parsec Financial is a validation of the importance of the work that we do, which is to provide fun, hands-on learning experiences for thousands of children each year,” said Executive Director Willard Whitson.

Despite the pandemic, they are upholding their mission of helping children of all ages develop a rich understanding of themselves and their world through fun, hands-on learning in the areas of science, art and culture.

“A family quarantined on an island in Thailand recently posted their gratitude on our museum’s Facebook page,” Whitson said. “Their young daughter was enjoying the activities we had provided online during the Covid-19 pandemic. Isolated from her friends, she was nonetheless able to engage with world because of our commitment to help children learn, even with our doors temporarily closed.”

The Parsec Prize is designed to help local non-profits further their missions and help improve the lives of those served in our communities. Since 2005, Parsec has awarded more than $1.5 million in Parsec Prize grants to 84 local non-profits. The Parsec Prize represents approximately one-half of Parsec’s annual charitable giving. Learn more: parsecfinancial.com/parsec-prize

 

Submitted by Tracy Clark