MARQUETTE — The Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan is offering beginning teachers an opportunity to apply for funding to assist with expenses to attend the Michigan Reading Association (MRA) 68th Annual Conference, March 15-17 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. Applications are open to new teachers in their first five years of teaching following graduation working in a public or private school in Michigan. LLF Michigan will award recipients up to $500 each.

Funds will assist with a combination of MRA Conference registration, hotel reservation, and MRA membership. Funds are made possible through LLF Michigan and MEEMIC Insurance Company. Applicants must complete an application form and provide a short explanation (300 words or less) on how they intend to use the knowledge gained from their attendance to promote literacy in their classroom or through their position in education or a related field of education.

“Teachers play a vital role in helping support literacy efforts throughout Michigan,” said Nancy Seminoff, president of LLF Michigan. “We hope this funding will help offset costs for some of these new teachers interested in continuing their education through conference participation.”

“Michigan Reading Association is excited to partner with Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan on the new teacher MRA Conference financial assistance campaign. Thank you LLF Michigan for your continued support and generosity to our membership!” said Jeanette Field, MRA executive director.

Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 pm EST on February 1st to be considered. Applications and questions should be sent to llfsocialmichigan@gmail.com and marked MRA Funding Application in the subject line. Awardees will be notified by February 15th.

Applicants agree to provide a summary of what they learned and a photo with a speaker (or evidence in the program that they were a presenter and a photo at their presentation). A paid conference registration receipt, a paid hotel receipt, an evaluation form, and a photo from the conference must be received electronically by 11:59 pm EST on March 31st if selected for award. Funds will be awarded by April 28th following review by the LLF Michigan Selection Committee and approval by the LLF Board of Directors.

Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports the improvement of a literate Michigan citizenry of all ages through the distribution of charitable funds to enhance literacy-related efforts. To obtain a copy of the form or to learn more about LLF Michigan, please visit www.literacylegacyfund.org.

For additional information on the MRA Conference, please visit www.michiganreading.org.