Grants-to-Educators

Beginning in 2026, and as part of our Visioning Forward process, our grant periods have been changed, as well as the steps of the application process. 

Grants-to-Educators support the Foundation’s basic objective of recognizing and encouraging outstanding classroom teachers in Ohio’s PK-12 public schools. Grants are available to teachers and administrators and are typically for classroom or school-wide projects. The maximum grant size is $3,000.

See the Grant Deadlines schedule

New dates!

GUIDELINES :

Grants-to-Educators focus on Advancing Student Learning:

Student learning is the ultimate measure of our success. The Foundation funds initiatives that foster active engagement, transferable skills, and academic growth for students in Ohio’s public schools.

We seek projects that move beyond enrichment alone to create meaningful learning experiences grounded in strong content and instructional purpose. Successful proposals articulate what students will learn and be able to do differently as a result of the project.

We Prioritize Projects That:

  • Foster 21st-century competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication

  • Engage students in cognitively demanding, standards-aligned learning

  • Prepare students for success in college, career, and life

  • Demonstrate clear connections between activities and learning outcomes

  • Promote equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Please be sure to read all sections of our Grants Overview page in order to fully understand the criteria listed below. Our Grants Advisory Committee members reflect on the following questions as they review Grants-to-Educators applications:

  1. Is this grant innovative or unique for the classroom, school, or district?

  2. How does the project Advance Student Learning?

  3. Could the budgeted items be provided with community/local, state, or federal funds?

  4. Are activities age appropriate?

  5. Is there evidence that this project addresses a critical student or teacher need in the classroom, school, or district?

  6. If the grant requests the purchase of books or equipment, is it clear that the project’s central purpose is related to the “prioritized projects” and their specific learning objectives described above, rather than to obtain materials?

  7. Does the plan for evaluating the grant adequately assess the quality and impact on student learning to meet the objectives of the activities proposed?

  8. Has the district done its part to support this grant and/or this teacher?

  9. Is the application completed accurately, and proofread for spelling and grammatical errors?

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  1. Create an account on our online application portal. Please use your district superintendent as the Head of your Organization, not your building principal.

  2. Complete the application fully and accurately, including uploading detailed budget documents, etc.

  3. Upload a Letter of Endorsement with signature from your principal on district letterhead. This is required for every grant application.

  4. Submit the application by one of the application deadlines listed on the Grant Deadlines page.

  5. Notification of the Foundation’s decision is typically sent two weeks after the Grant Review. Decisions can be found on your dashboard and are communicated via an email to the main contact your organization provided.

If your application is approved for a grant award:

  1. Upload a Letter of Endorsement with signature from your superintendent on district letterhead. This is required for both the grant application and payment.

  2. Once you complete and submit the Proposal Terms and Conditions, funding will be distributed.

  3. Grant monies awarded by the Foundation must be used within one year.

  4. Submit your Final Education Project Report Form and Final Financial Report in the online dashboard within one year of receiving funding.

IF YOU ARE AWARDED A GRANT:

  1. Upload a Letter of Endorsement with signature from your superintendent on district letterhead. This is required for both the grant application and payment.

  2. Once you complete and submit the Proposal Terms and Conditions, funding will be distributed.

  3. Grant monies awarded by the Foundation must be used within one year.

  4. Submit your Final Reporting Requirements in the online dashboard within one year of receiving funding.