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Grant Information

We welcome you to contact our executive director, Shannon Carter, at marathonfoundation@gmail.com to discuss your interest in our grant program.

Grant History

2025
  • Provided college scholarships to five students, totalling $10,984 in 2025
  • Granted $2,000 to support four students participating in the 4H Livestock Show.
  • Awarded $2,588 to Marathon Independent School District (MISD) to assist faculty in obtaining additional certifications, courtesy of a restricted gift.
  • Contributed $15,000 to support operations at the Marathon Health Center.
  • Donated $10,000 to Sunshine House to support Meals on Wheels for our senior citizens.
  • Provided a $2,000 grant to MISD for students' cultural travel program.
  • Awarded $837 to MISD for further teacher certification.
  • Awarded MISD $60,000 to support the construction of new faculty homes.
  • Awarded $1000 each to BB Pets and Marathon Animal Shelter for stray animals vet care
  • Awarded Marathon Volunteer Fire Department $2000 for their help with M2M and $2000 to support certification requirements
  • Awarded $33,000 to Marathon Public Library for the second year of a 3 year pledge
2024
  • Funded scholarships for eight students, including new and continuing recipients, totalling $12,697
  • Contributed $15,000 to support operations at the Marathon Health Clinic.
  • Donated $10,000 to Sunshine House to support Meals on Wheels services for senior citizens.
  • Granted $2,000 to support students participating in the Big Bend Livestock Show (4H).
  • Provided $3,200 to the Marathon Public Library to fund a hydroponics class.
  • Contributed $2,000 to the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department for their involvement in the Marathon2Marathon (M2M) event.
  • Pledged $6,000 to MISD to support teacher certification initiatives.
  • Pledged approximately $60,000 to support the construction of new faculty housing for MISD.
  • Pledged $100,000—one-third of which was disbursed in 2024—to support the construction of a new Marathon Public Library building.
2023
  • Funded three new college scholarship students, total scholarships this year $8,177.
  • Provided a $15,000 operating grant to the Marathon Health Center.
  • Granted $3,000 to support students in the Big Bend Livestock Show (4H).
  • Donated $5,000 to Big Bend Pets for a spay/neuter program in Marathon.
  • Contributed $2,000 to the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department for support of M2M efforts.
  • Granted an additional $5,000 to the Fire Department to assist in purchasing a compressor.
  • Provided $18,000 to MISD for various needs, including the installation of an air conditioning system.
  • Donated $2,000 to support the Marathon Animal Shelter.
2022
  • Funded three new scholarship students; total scholarship grants this year $4,000.
  • Granted $3,000 to support student participation in the Livestock Show (4H).
  • Contributed $15,000 in operating funds to the Marathon Health Center.
2021
  • Supported three new scholarship students, total scholarships this year $10,966
  • Provided $10,200 to Big Bend Pets for a spay/neuter release program for cats.
  • Donated $2,000 to the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Contributed $2,000 to MISD.
  • Granted $2,000 to support students in the Livestock Show (4H).
  • Funded $2,280 for Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training for local deputies and community members.
  • Contributed $6,000 in operating funds to the Marathon Health Center.
2020
  • Funded scholarships for four students, total scholarship funds this year $6,560.
  • Provided a $10,910 grant to Sunshine House to support Meals on Wheels services for Marathon seniors.
  • Received a directed gift of $10,000 for a Marathon-specific spay/neuter program targeting feral cats.
2019
  • Supported three student scholarships total scholarship grants this year $7,880
  • Donated $4,000 to the school and fire department for their volunteer work during the M2M event.
  • Provided a $24,250 grant for the MISD elementary school playground.
  • Granted $2,300 to MISD for additional support.
2018
  • Funded three MISD graduates with $8,000 scholarships each, total scholarship grants this year $4,960.
  • Provided ongoing support for the MISD school lunch program.
  • Issued matching grants totaling $4,373 to MISD and the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department for M2M fundraising.
2017
  • Supported four students through the scholarship program, total scholarship funding this year $11,775.
  • Continued funding for the MISD school lunch program.
  • Awarded $8,000 in wildcard scholarships for student and teacher continuing education.
  • Provided a $10,000 grant toward the Marathon Colts (Pre-K) new building, in partnership with a $60,000 grant from the Permian Basin Area Foundation and the Stillwater Foundation.
  • Donated $1,735 to the Marathon Public Library for continuing education initiatives.
2016
  • Contributed $18,745 to continue supporting the MISD school lunch program.
  • Celebrated the first college graduates from The Marathon Foundation’s scholarship fund: Zach Gonzales, Omar Grano, Micella Grano, and Krystal Aguilar, who continued on to pursue a Master's degree. Total funding for scholarships this year $7,500.
  • Granted $10,000 to initiate the MISD Colts Program for three- and four-year-olds.
  • Issued an interim loan to the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department to bridge work needed for a grant award.
2015
  • Pledged support for a research telescope project to enhance public stargazing opportunities in Marathon.
  • Continued funding for the MISD school lunch program.
  • Awarded $8,000 scholarships to MISD graduates Timothy Roberts and Audrey Galindo, total scholarship grants this year $9,000.
  • Facilitated the donation of bunker gear to the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department.
2014
  • Provided $500 continuation scholarships to five college students: Omar Grano, Zach Gonzales, Krystal Aguilar, Micella Grano, and Elizabeth Grano.
  • Granted $2,700 to Post Park for a pond aerator.
  • Increased MISD scholarship awards from $4,000 to $8,000, with Oscar Ureste as the first recipient at the new level. Total scholarship grants this year $6,700.
  • Funded a marketing campaign for MISD.
2013
  • Granted $500 continuation scholarships to two college students: Omar Grano and Zach Gonzales.
  • Provided a $3,353 equipment grant to Marathon Primary Care Service.
  • Funded student and chaperone travel to the Airport Camp in San Antonio.
  • Awarded $4,000 in scholarships to three MISD seniors: Krystal Aguilar, Micella Grano, and Elizabeth Hernandez. Total scholarship grants this year $4,000.
  • Donated $12,000 to the Marathon Library to support operations.
  • Funded a faculty signing bonus at MISD.
  • Provided $500 continuation scholarships to five college students: Omar Grano, Zach Gonzales, Krystal Aguilar, Micella Grano, and Elizabeth Hernandez.
2012
  • Awarded a $14,000 bonus to all MISD faculty and staff ($1,000 each), to be paid in the fall.
  • Donated $325 to the Texas Cultural Trust to distribute their Adventure in the Arts book to MISD elementary students.
  • Issued the Foundation's first scholarships—$4,000 each—to college-enrolled MISD graduates Vicki Ureste and Omar Grano. Total scholarship grants this year $1,000.
  • Funded a $2,000 MISD Teacher of the Year Award.
  • Provided faculty signing bonuses at MISD.
  • Continued $500 scholarships to two college students: Omar Grano and Zach Gonzales.
  • Funded administrative expenses for the Marathon2Marathon race (M2M).
  • Granted $26,000 to the Marathon Water Service Co-op to fund a backup generator.
2011
  • Established a $4,000 college scholarship program for graduating MISD seniors.
  • Granted $5,000 to MISD for the superintendent's discretionary fund, which included the purchase of "big books" for elementary education.
  • Funded $12,000 in signing bonuses for three new MISD teachers.
  • Awarded $24,000 in one-time faculty bonuses at MISD.
  • Donated $4,000 to MISD for technology upgrades, including a new server.
  • Provided a $2,000 Teacher of the Year Award to MISD, selected based on nominations from students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Contributed $10,000 in operating funds to the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department.
  • Granted $5,000 to the Marathon Health Clinic for equipment purchases.
  • Awarded $44,000 to MISD for refurbishing the elementary school playground and planting a tree. The project was completed in May 2012, and it was under budget.