MHS Science Department Fund
Equipping students to experiment, explore, and excel
The MHS Science Department Fund strengthens science education at Morton High School by providing annual grants for classroom equipment, hands-on learning, and student opportunities. Built as a permanent endowment, the fund preserves principal and uses investment earnings to make grants year after year—so today’s gifts keep fueling discovery for future classes.
What the fund supports
Grants may help with:
• Laboratory equipment, technology, and safety supplies
• Fees, materials, and travel for science competitions and clubs
• Guest speakers, field experiences, and special projects
• Curriculum enhancements and other science-related purchases
How the fund began
In 2011, longtime Science Department Head Scott Lynn launched the fund with an initial personal gift and a series of school fundraisers to help it grow. In 2015, a former student—by then a physician—added a $10,000 gift along with a note thanking Mr. Lynn for sparking a love of science that shaped a medical career. That spirit of paying it forward continues as alumni, families, and friends invest in the next generation of learners.
A lasting tribute to Scott Lynn (1957–2020)
Mr. Lynn believed that a strong science program builds problem-solving skills for a changing world. This fund honors his legacy by ensuring students have the tools and experiences they need to learn deeply and think critically—for college, careers, and life.
How an endowment works
Gifts to this fund are pooled and invested. The principal is never spent; a portion of the earnings is granted out annually to support the MHS science program. As the fund grows, grantmaking grows, creating a reliable source of support for decades to come.
Ways to give
You can give online by clicking Donate Now and selecting the MHS Science Department Fund. Gifts can also be mailed to the Morton Community Foundation, 135 S. First Avenue, Morton, IL 61550, with “MHS Science Department Fund” in the memo line. Tax-advantaged stock gifts are welcome through our stock gifting page, and you can also honor a teacher, student, or alum with a tribute gift. See below…
To make a tax-deductible donation to this endowment fund, you can:
Donate by check: Make it payable to Morton Community Foundation and mail it to 135 S First Ave, Morton, IL 61550. Please write “MHS Science Dept” on the memo line.
Make a tax-advantaged gift of stock…Visit our stock gifting page by clicking HERE.
Give online by clicking the button below.
Are you a Caterpillar Employee or Retiree?
The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to offer the year-round Matching Gifts Program to support their employees, U.S. retirees and board of directors in their contributions to worthy causes. Eligible Caterpillar participants may request an annual total maximum 1:1 match of $10,000 USD each calendar year to eligible charities to which contributions are tax deductible. The Morton Community Foundation is an eligible charity. So, if you are an eligible Caterpillar participant, you may submit any donations to this fund for an equivalent match, up to your total maximum of $10,000 per year. CLICK HERE to link to the Caterpillar Foundation’s Matching Gift website.
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