The Grants-to-Educators program supports the Foundation’s basic objective of recognizing and encouraging outstanding classroom teachers in Ohio’s secular schools. Grants are available to teachers and administrators for classroom, school-wide, or district-wide projects.
The Foundation has established two funding categories within the Grants-to-Educators program: Excellent Teaching and Deep Learning. Before completing an application, study the rationale behind the two Grant Categories and examine the charts associated with each.
Applicants must indicate the category for which they are seeking funds.
The maximum amount for a Grants-to-Educators is $3,000.
A request for the purchase of technology is not a priority and cannot exceed one-third of the dollar amount requested. Download “Questions Pertaining to Technology Funding” (PDF)
There is a specific application for the Grants-to-Educators program. Please click on Grant-to-Educators Application to access the application.
The following items must be submitted with your Grants-to-Educators application:
- Applicant cover page
- Grant Application (Include no more than four additional typed pages explaining the details of you request using a standard font type and size)
- Superintendent and building principal endorsement
Mail the entire original (stapled) and nine copies in the above order to:
Chairman, Distribution Committee
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
The Halle Building
1228 Euclid Avenue, suite 710
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Contact: Kathy Kooyman
Grants Manager
216-589-5700
The Foundation’s Distribution Committee carefully reviews Grants-to-Educators applications. The Committee meets 10 months a year (NOT in July or December).
An application should be submitted by the 20th of the preceding month in which it is to be considered. If the 20th falls on a weekend or a holiday, your request must be submitted on the previous business day.
Please keep the following guidelines in mind when submitting a Grants-to-Educators application:
- Only one application from your school will be considered in a given month
- The maximum grant is $3,000
- Funding is considered for equipment only when there is a direct connection to the project (see Technology Requests). The cost of technology equipment cannot exceed one-third of the grant (up to $1,000 for a $3,000 grant)
- Project needs to relate to one or both of the themes: Excellent Teaching or Deep Learning (see Grant Categories)
- Funding for the following items are not Foundation priorities: bus transportation, conferences, field trips/admission fees, capital assets, refreshments, storage units, incentives, school supplies, rewards and T-shirts
Distribution Committee members reflect on the following questions as they review Grants-to-Educators applications:
- Is this grant innovative or unique for the classroom, school, or district?
- What is the potential impact of the project on excellent teaching and/or deep learning?
- Could the materials or equipment requested be purchased with community/local, state, or federal funds?
- Are the activities age-appropriate?
- Is there evidence that this project addresses a critical student or teacher need in the classroom, school, or district?
- If the grant requests the purchase of books or equipment, does it include a clear implementation plan with expected outcomes that justifies the purchase?
- Does the plan for evaluating the grant adequately assess the quality and impact on student learning to meet the objectives of the activities proposed?
- Has the district done its part to support this grant and/or this teacher?
- Will this grant be used by more than one classroom?
- Has adequate time been allowed for review process and is the application form completed accurately?