Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation recently announced that it awarded more than $2.3 million in grants during the sixth year of its Toolbox for Education Initiative. Since the program was launched, the Lowe's Foundation has provided more than $30 million to K-12 public schools for school improvement projects. This year, 543 schools across the United States were awarded grants for a variety of projects.

Some of the recipients of the spring 2012 awards plan to build greenhouses, improve libraries, construct outdoor learning spaces and install walking paths. In previous grantmaking cycles, the foundation has provided schools with funding to build community gardens, composts and outdoor activity spaces.

"Lowe's commitment of $2.3 million to Toolbox for Education grants underscores our dedication to education throughout the country," said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "These dollars will help close the funding gaps our schools face and help expedite needed improvements and upgrades."

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