The Helena Education Foundation recently awarded $20,000 in grants to Helena School District teachers.

That brings HEF’s total grant funds invested in creative programs for Helena’s public school students very close to $300,000, executive director Lisa Cordingley said.

The Great Ideas Grants program is in its ninth year and has awarded 148 grants.

The grants have affected virtually all of the district’s more than 8,000 students, according to HEF board president Lee Harrison.

Read more in the Independent Record or view the photo album of grant presentations.