A round of grants has been issued to local schools and other organizations by First 5 Shasta. The organization is funded by a 50 cent per pack tobacco tax approved by voters in 1998. $66,000 in grants has been given to Columbia School, Shasta Head Start, Gateway School District, Shasta Library Foundation, Turtle Bay and the Cascade Theater. All of the money is used to improve education and development of children ages 1 to 5. Funding opportunities from $250 to $1500 are offered to groups, agencies and individuals in the “Good Neighbor” Grant Program, with the latest cycle having opened on July 5th. Information is available at first5shasta.org/funding.