Grants
The Marion Foundation’s grant program provides teachers an opportunity to receive funding for projects that benefit students in the Marion Independent School District. Grants are made possible because of generous contributions the Foundation receives throughout the year from both businesses and individuals as well as a number of educational funds that are invested with the Foundation for long-term benefit.
Additional contributions to these educational funds are encouraged in any amount and may be made at any time. If you are interested in establishing your own fund, please visit Establish A Fund.
Bruno Rinas Memorial Science & Interdisciplinary Research Fund
Science teacher Bruno Rinas was a beloved employee of Marion High School for 31 years. After receiving numerous memorial contributions after his death in 2011, the Rinas family established this endowment to support scientific research for faculty and students; as well as bring awareness to the scientific and general education strides Marion High School is making.
C.B. & Lula E. Vernon Fund
Chester B. Vernon served as superintendent from 1926 to 1956. After retirement, C.B. and wife Lula remained in Marion. In 1964, the district voted to name the former high school C.B. Vernon Junior High in his honor. The building was replaced in 2012 but the namesake remains as Vernon Middle School as a tribute to the family’s leadership. In 2017, daughter-in-law Amelia ‘Mimi’ Vernon bequeathed a gift to establish the C.B. & Lula E. Vernon Fund. Their son John shared, “I think my dad’s biggest accomplishment was to have a school district that had high academic standards and results. There are a countless number of people who went on to achieve success across the country after they graduated from Marion High School.” John Vernon passed in 2019 and his memorial gifts were added to this fund to honor both he and his parents.
Jay White Educational Enhancement Fund
Jason “Jay” White was a 1992 Marion High School graduate who died in 1994. Jay was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society, Thespian Club and SADD. His interest in foreign languages enabled him to receive the Fulbright Medal in French. Jay was involved in many sports. His love for football and the respect from his teammates enabled him to play his senior year as a Varsity Football Captain. Jay was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and by doing national commercials and print work, he was able to travel and meet many people. Established by Mary Anne White in memory of her son, this fund has supported several projects including the start of the first One Day in May community service day.
John Nelson Fund
As a 1935 Marion High School graduate, John Nelson was a railroad switchman who appreciated the value of a good education. Spending a lifetime investing his savings and pension income, Mr. Nelson was able to bequest more than a half million dollars to the Foundation after his passing in 2005. The Foundation established a fund in John Nelson’s name and in 2009, began disbursing gifts toward scholarships, classroom grants and more. Most recently, a large gift was designated to assist the district in making significant renovations to the Marion High School Auditorium and Les Hipple Athletic Complex.
Mike Combs Memorial Fund
Mike is the father of Dalton (MHS ’10) and Micaela (MHS ’13), father-in-law to Rachel (MHS ’08) and husband to Beth. Mike was dedicated to supporting his children and athletics at Marion High School. He coached Marion feeder teams for softball, basketball, baseball, and football for years and volunteered in many capacities for Marion junior high and high school track, football, baseball and basketball. In 2017, he was recognized at the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament as a model of sportsmanship for Marion High School and its community. Mike passed away unexpectedly on December 13, 2018 at age 53. This fund was established by Mike’s family to support education and athletics in his memory.
Rathbun Memorial Fund
Anna Louise Rathbun (known as Louise) started teaching at Irving School in 1892 and continued her elementary teaching career in Marion until 1914. Her father owned the Marion Register, one of the most important papers in Linn County at the time. Louise passed away in 1940 and left a trust to her sister-in-law, nephew and close friend. With Louise’s direction, after their passings the remainder of the trust was gifted to the district with the purpose of supporting the Marion High School library.
Trojan Lodge #548 A.F. & A.M. Fund
In 2016, Trojan Lodge #548 gifted both the Marion School Foundation and Linn-Mar School Foundation with $195,000 each for the purpose of supporting education in the Marion community. Our Foundation was honored to receive this contribution from an organization whose membership includes several graduates of Marion High School. The Board of Trustees established a fund in the Lodge’s name and began distributing from it in 2019 with a goal of supporting educational initiatives in the Marion Independent School District.