The purpose of Frank Sherman Grants are to promote and support health, physical fitness, and outdoor education activities and curriculum offered at the Springfield Public Schools. Special consideration is given to those applications whose projects utilize SKYCamp. Grants up to $1,000 are awarded annually. Funds can be used for development of curriculum, educator training, equipment, field trips, supplies, transportation, and/or other resources.

Frank Sherman

From 1961 to 1985, Frank Sherman was an administrator of health, physical education and athletics for Springfield Public Schools. He passed away in 2010. Frank, also a long-time member of Springfield Kiwanis, was instrumental in building the Springfield Kiwanis Youth Camp better know as SKYCamp located near Fall Creek. He felt strongly that the complete education of students needed to include healthy lifestyles with plenty of exercise and recreation opportunities and exposure to joys and beauties of the great outdoors.

This grant is possible due to a generous donation by Frank’s widow, Katy Sherman. Katy’s gift of $25,000 in honor of Frank created the Springfield Education Foundation’s first endowment invested with Oregon Community Foundation. The disbursements from this initial investment are providing the funding for the Frank Sherman grant.