The town's initial grant included land along the Connecticut River.

The initial flat grant for a family of four 17 years ago was $324 and it is now $488, an increase of 51 percent.

The initial grant was near the top and specified that the land remain in its natural state.

Remarkably, the officials liked his innovative idea and provided an initial grant of $1 million.

Four schools were selected for the initial grants in January 1987.

Meeting this goal was a condition for getting more federal money once the initial grant expired.

The initial grant is for up to $50 million over five years, the Army and the universities said.

Provided with an initial four-year grant of $240,000, the fund will help four undergraduate and two graduate students a year.

Foundation representatives said the board approved almost $5 million in initial grants at its October meeting.

The institution received its initial grant of accreditation in 2002.