NIKE, Inc. announces $1.5 million in grants from the Nike School Innovation Fund (NSIF) with the support of two-time Olympic Medalist and Nike athlete Ashton Eaton. Recently retired from sport, Ashton has turned his focus to lending his voice to elevate the efforts of NSIF and champion Oregon students and their futures.
The Nike School Innovation Fund is awarding 100 Oregon high schools a total of $1.5 million in grants with the goal of increasing graduation rates, closing the achievement gap and helping all students in Oregon prepare for future success. Nike’s new two-minute film on the Nike School Innovation Fund featuring Eaton, captures the impact of NSIF’s work with teachers and students.
“As the first in my family to go to college, and a native Oregonian, I believe every student can graduate and achieve their dreams, and Nike does too,” says Eaton in the introduction to the film.
In a recent visit to an 11th and 12th grade AVID class at Churchill High School in Eugene, Eaton shared how education shaped his future and encouraged students to own their futures and pursue their dreams: “When I learned that one in four high school students aren’t making it to high school graduation on time or at all, I wanted to get involved.” His visit to the school jump-started his exploration of how to help Oregon high school students and educators. Just a short distance from where he studied Psychology and trained to be the best in world at the University of Oregon, Eaton urged students to “find what you love and give it everything.”
That’s Nike’s message, too. “We believe all kids deserve the chance to graduate ready for their future, and that’s why we’re investing in Oregon schools through the Nike School Innovation Fund,” said Vanessa Wilkins, North America Community Impact Director at Nike. “Oregon is working hard to help more students graduate from high school and we’re excited to be part of the solution.”
The Impact of the Nike School Innovation:
Nike is committed to supporting Oregon schools and through the Nike
