Google announced $375,000 in community grant funding distributed throughout May and June 2026 to support local public schools, agricultural education, student leadership and public resources across Montgomery County and surrounding districts.

The contributions focus heavily on sustaining local youth opportunities, featuring four key areas: Agricultural and STEM Education, Higher Education Scholarships, Civic Resources and Accessibility and Youth Leadership and Athletics.

“Montgomery County has been a fantastic community partner, and we are proud to support the educators, students, and organizations that make this region thrive,” said Trystine Payfer, Google Public Affairs Manager.

The FFA programs will receive a combined total of $200,000, with MCHS receiving $150,000 and W-M $50,000.

“Google’s financial investment into Montgomery Co. R-II’s Agricultural Department will be used to upgrade equipment and lab resources to prepare all agricultural education students for future careers,” MCHS FFA co-adviser Mary Leykamp said. “We are also very excited to be able to provide SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) grants to our students to help them start or expand their agriculture projects. Thanks to Google and these funds, we will help our students fulfill the FFA Motto of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live and Living to Serve.”

Besides the FFA chapter, W-M will also receive money for its robotics program ($5,000), its Hildebrand scholarship ($25,000) and its funding ADA-compliant playground upgrades ($5,000).

“We appreciate Google’s investment in our school and our students,” said Tiffany Gosseen, Wellsville-Middletown Superintendent. “Their financial support will allow us to expand opportunities for our students while continuing to be responsible stewards of the community resources entrusted to us.”

The MCHS volleyball team received $5,000 to help with equipment as well as accommodations for its out-of-town tournaments this summer. The company also paid for T-shirts for its camp it ran from June 16-19.

“We could not be more thankful for Google’s donation and support of our volleyball team,” MCHS volleyball coach Carli Bleyle said. “Their support removed financial barriers for our athletes and their families, covering summer camps, food, travel and much-needed new nets. Google’s generosity ensured every single player could take the court this summer.”

Google will also provide direct financial assistance for graduating seniors via the R-II Bright Light Scholarship Fund ($30,000) and will help with sponsorship with Montgomery County Middle School FCCLA students attending the National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.