History
Project Discovery was developed as a logical response to poverty. By advancing young people to the middle class through post secondary education or professional trade schools degrees, the multi-generational cycle of poverty can be broken. The concept was envisioned in 1979 by Cabell Brand, the founder of Total Action Against Poverty, a Roanoke based community action agency, in conjunction with faculty from Roanoke College and the Roanoke City public schools. Over the next 4 years, students, parents, and faculty were consulted and curriculum and training were developed. In the fall of 1983 the first Project Discovery program was started in the Roanoke City Schools. The following time line highlights the growth of the organization and its services to the Commonwealth.
1983- U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE) provides funding for further implementation of program in Virginia
1984 - Programs continue in the Roanoke City schools. Extensive evaluations result in additional training and curriculum improvements in preparation to expand.
1985 - Incorporated as 501(c) 3 organization. Programs established in Abingdon, Alexandria, and Charlottesville
1986 - 1987 The Virginia General Assembly funds Project Discovery through the Department of Education for $277,000. Programs begin in Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond.
1987 - 1988 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $428,202. Programs expand to Cumberland and Tazewell.
1988 - 1989 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $781,477. Marion, Chatham, Powhatan, Rocky Mount and Waverly programs added.
1989 - 1990 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $791,327 with additional funding for Richmond.
1990-1992 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $862,285. Programs added in Eastern Shore. Fairfax, Williamsburg, and Lynchburg.
1993 - 1994 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $1,008,154, with increased funding for Alexandria.
1994 - 1995 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $1,025,654.
1996 - 1997 Virginia Department of Education funding increased to $1,085,754. Arlington is the last fully funded program to receive state funding. Madison County adopts program yet remains a pilot model because there is no funding from the state. Madison receives administrative support from Central Administration.
1997 - 2001 - Virginia Department of Education funding remains constant.
2001 - Jeffrey North is hired as the new Executive Director. State Board of Directors focus on strategic planning.
2002 Virginia Department of Education funding reduced by $285,754 to $800,000. There was no decrease in services by any program agency. Statistical Report is developed. Hartford Foundation grants $20,000. First Student Awards Banquet takes place. College Awareness Week for students at Radford University. State Board of Directors meets with local Advisory Boards. Project Discovery website is developed http://www.projectdiscovery.org/. Hartford Foundation grants first $20,000.
2003 - 2004 Virginia Department of Education funding remains constant at $800,000. Statewide scholarship awards are started with internally raised funds. Hartford Foundation grants $20,000.
2005 - 2006 Virginia Department of Education funding remains constant. Third Student Award Recognition Banquet is held. With $7,000.00 in scholarships awarded. Friends of Project Discovery Life Membership program begins to raises money for scholarships. Statewide Raffle is held to raise funds for scholarships. Pilot Program begins in Danville without state funding. Hartford Foundation grants $20,000. Wachovia funds Resource Developer position.
2007 - 2008 Virginia Department of Education increases to $900,000.00. CSBG funding increases by over 100% to $75,000.00. Further increases are allocated over the next three years to $175,000.00. At the sixth Student Award Recognition Banquet $25,000.00 in scholarships were awarded. Hartford Foundation grants $20,000. Wachovia grant was obtained for $35,000.00