Fred Rogers, from “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” once said that when something tragic happens, that we should “look for the helpers.”
So when Uvalde, Texas, native and actor Matthew McConaughey heard about the tragic elementary school shooting in his hometown, he knew he had to find a way to make a difference.
The award-winning actor has always been passionate about making a positive impact in society. Now, he’s taking his dedication to a new level with the launch of his Greenlights Grant Initiative.
Actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camilla. Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Film Magic
This initiative aims to help schools and students across the United States by providing access to funding through the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which allocates billions of dollars to enhance school safety between now and 2026.
The parents in Uvalde asked us to do one thing — to ‘make their lives matter.’ We hope the Greenlights Grant Initiative can help do just that.”
“The Greenlights Grant Initiative is here to streamline and simplify that process for you. We’re connecting you to those billions of dollars that are there, that the federal government wants to utilize, wants you to use to safen your schools. We’re here to simplify that process for you so that money can be utilized,” McConaughey explained on “Good Morning America”.
As a father of three, McConaughey said he has always felt a personal connection to this cause. Since last year’s tragedy, he has been actively involved in advocating for safer schools and raising awareness.
The Greenlights Grant Initiative seeks to address the challenges schools face in accessing federal funding. McConaughey highlighted the crucial role of superintendents in this process and acknowledged the difficulties they often encounter: “As we know, the superintendents at many of the schools that are high risk, they’re wearing three or four hats — they don’t have time or the resources to fill out these grants. These grants are intimidating.”
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The urgency behind utilizing the available funding is underscored by McConaughey’s warning that if the money remains unallocated, it will be redistributed in 2026. By using the funding now, it sends a clear message to the federal government that the demand and need for safer schools are high, increasing the possibility of receiving future funding.
Moreover, McConaughey emphasized the importance of public and private partnerships working together successfully with the government. His passionate speech at the White House earlier in the year played a significant role in creating this initiative and unlocking funding to establish mental health services, security measures, and appropriate allocation of resources for schools.
The ‘just keep livin Foundation’, established by McConaughey and his wife Camila, is instrumental in bringing the Greenlights Grant Initiative to life. The foundation aims to help school districts nationwide access federal school safety funding, providing resources like tutorials, webinars, guidebooks, and fully-funded grant writing services to facilitate the process.
“When we went to Uvalde, we both didn’t know where or how we would be needed most, but once we arrived it became clear that our connection was with the families — and especially Camila with the mothers,” McConaughey said.
The initiative has gained significant bipartisan support, with federal lawmakers joining the Strategic Advisory Council as co-chairs. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with Representatives James E. Clyburn (D-SC) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX), are all actively involved in this crucial endeavor.
When talking about the tragic shoot at Robb Elementary School, the couple shared their commitment to making a difference. “The parents in Uvalde asked us to do one thing — to ‘make their lives matter.’ We hope the Greenlights Grant Initiative can help do just that.”
For an in-depth look at McConaughey’s initiative, watch below.
Sources: Good Morning America | People
