Grants-to-Educators
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.
Grants-to-Educators Review Cycles
2026 Deadlines: February 15, May 15, August 15, October 15
If funding is awarded, it is typically around 6 weeks after the application deadline.
Grants to Educators focus on Advancing Student Learning
Student learning is the ultimate measure of our success. MHJF 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
Application Process
Create an account on our online application system. Please use your district superintendent as the Head of your Organization, not your building principal. Visit the Application portal using the link below to begin.
Complete the application fully and accurately, including uploading detailed budget documents, etc.
Upload a Letter of Endorsement with signature from your principal on district letterhead. This is required for every grant application.
Submit the application by one of the application deadlines listed above.
Notification of the Foundation’s decision is typically sent the third Wednesday of the month after the application deadline. 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:
Upload a Letter of Endorsement with signature from your superintendent on district letterhead. This is required for both the grant application and payment.
Once you complete and submit the Proposal Terms and Conditions, funding will be distributed.
Grant monies awarded by the Foundation must be used within one year.
Submit your Final Education Project Report Form and Final Financial Report in the online dashboard within one year of receiving funding.
Evaluation Criteria
Please be sure to read all sections of our grants overview page in order to fully understand the criteria listed below. 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?
How does the project Advance Student Learning?
Could the budgeted items be provided with community/local, state, or federal funds?
Are 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, is it clear that the project’s central purpose is related to the “focus areas” described above, and their specific learning objectives, rather than to obtain materials?
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?
Is the application completed accurately, and proofread for spelling and grammatical errors?