Program Summary and Funding Request

New Salem Educational Initiative

Program Summary and Funding Request


Gary Marvin Davison, Ph. D.


The New Salem Educational Initiative is a unique program that for five years has been demonstrating that the achievement gap is bridgeable, offering a program that rationally shows how children from economically challenged families can succeed academically. The program was launched during the 2003-2004 academic year by Dr. Gary Marvin Davison, who brings 35 years of experience to the task of addressing the academic and life challenges faced by young people of the inner city.

The following characteristics have allowed the New Salem Educational Initiative to achieve unprecedented success in bringing children attending schools located mostly in North Minneapolis up to grade level in reading and math, then pointing them along an academic road designed to prepare them for success at the college and university level:

>>> rigorous testing and retesting to determine
and monitor skill level

>>> weekly 2-hour academic sessions designed to
address the skill gaps indicated by testing

>>> transportation provided to all students,
with infinite patience exercised in keeping up
with shifting residences and telephone
numbers--- and rescheduling as necessary to
assure nearly 100% weekly attendance

>>> weekly interaction with parents and
extremely strong relationships developed with
families of students

>>> lifelong, permanent commitment made to
all students once enrolled in the New Salem
Educational Initiative


The New Salem Educational Initiative serves a total of 115 young people (and some adults working on their GEDs). During the academic year the program functions under the name Salem, Inc., Educational Initiative under contract to the Minneapolis Public Schools as a Supplemental Educational Services provider under No Child Left Behind guidelines. Many poor students and children of color, though, do not qualify for services under these provisions, funding does not prevail during the summer, and as a government funding source the future will be determined by shifting political winds.

The cost for serving each student enrolled in the New Salem Educational Initiative is $2,000 for an entire 12-month period. We are asking that as individuals and private groups, people concerned about the future of inner city young people step forward and become annual donors in that amount to the New Salem Educational Initiative.



Commitment to Funding for a Student Enrolled in the

New Salem Educational Initiative

Name of person, persons, or organization committing to $2,000 toward annual funding for a student enrolled in the New Salem Educational Initiative:


Name, address, telephone, email:



Name, address, telephone, email



Name, address, telephone, email



Name, address, telephone, email



Name, address, telephone, email


Please use the back of this form to provide contact information if there are more than five individuals participating as a unit in committing to $2,000 in annual funding for a student of the New Salem Educational Initiative.


Checks should be made payable to New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, which is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency. The church is located at 2519 Lyndale Avenue North in Minneapolis. Checks should be mailed to the following address:


Dr. Gary Marvin Davison
Program Director and Director of Development
New Salem Educational Initiative
312 South Linden Place
Northfield MN 55057
(Cell) (507) 301-9902
garymarvindavison@earthlink.net



Individuals and groups committing to annual funding of a student enrolled in the New Salem Educational Initiative will be provided with frequently conveyed information on the student’s life circumstances and academic progress. A person or persons supporting this student are always welcome to observe academic sessions, generally held at the church (address at Lyndale and 26th Avenues North in North Minneapolis, given above) to see for themselves the results of their generosity.



I wish to express my deepest thanks to you for the difference that you are making in the life of an inner city young person living in Minneapolis, and therefore for what you are doing to end the cycle of poverty and make of our community a better place in which to thrive.

Gary Marvin Davison, Ph. D.
Director, New Salem Educational Initiative