MARQUETTE — The Education Foundation for Marquette Public Schools is celebrating year two of the newly established Children’s Savings Account program called 1st to Finish, which supports savings accounts for first graders in Marquette Area Public Schools.

This year the Community Foundation of Marquette County announced a $10,000 gift to the program while local banks, IncredibleBank and Range Bank, continue to manage the student accounts. Accounts are ready to accept deposits.

1st to Finish is a universal, automatic, long-term savings account program for first grade students. These CSAs now have initial deposits and are prepared for student, family and friend contributions helping to grow the accounts. 1st to Finish CSAs will be eligible for withdrawal by the graduated student to support qualifying career or educational expenses.

Studies show that with even a small savings account students are more likely to attend and graduate from college, organizers said.

“It is the mission of the Education Foundation for Marquette Public School to acquire and distribute financial and other resources to the Marquette Area Public Schools for unique programs and activities which supplement and enhance the quality of education and provide students with extended learning opportunities,” organizers said in the announcement.

Education Foundation for Marquette Public Schools encourages all supporters of Marquette schools to donate to a fund of your interest. Contributions can be sent to MAPS Ed Foundation at 1201 W. Fair Ave, include scholarship name in check memo line, or at mapseducationfoundation.org.