Open Grants

The Open Grant program is designed to make a positive lasting impact on student learning and teaching across Ohio. Any public school district, non-religious private school or non-profit organization working in conjunction with public schools, in any county of Ohio, can apply.

The typical size of an Open Grant is $15,000, but they can range from $4,000-$55,000. While providing a picture for the larger scope of the work is helpful, the Foundation only approves funds for one year. An organization may re-submit a proposal for continued funding based on the Final Evaluation Report responses.

2026 Deadlines

LOI: February 15, May 15, August 15, October 15

Full Application (by invitation): February 22, May 22, August 22, October 22

Submitting your LOI earlier within the grant cycle gives you more time to prepare a full application, if invited.

If you wait until the LOI deadline to submit your LOI, you may only have a few days to complete your full application.

Overview of Our New Grant Application Process

Starting in January 2026, grant seekers may apply for an Open Grant using our new application process under our new grantmaking priorities: Advancement of Student Learning; Advancement of Teachers and the Teaching Profession; and Advancement of Public Education.

Our new process has three steps:

1. Eligibility Quiz

The Eligibility Quiz is the first required step in our grants process. All prospective applicants must complete the quiz to determine whether their organization is eligible to apply.

  • If your organization is eligible, you will be directed to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

  • If your organization is not eligible, you will be informed that you are unable to proceed at this time.

2. Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Organizations that pass the Eligibility Quiz may submit an Open Grants Letter of Inquiry (LOI). The LOI allows us to review requests at a high level and assess alignment with our current grantmaking priorities.

  • LOI submission deadlines are: February 15, May 15, August 15, October 15,

  • Not all organizations that submit an LOI will be invited to submit a full application.

  • We will prioritize requests that we determine are closely aligned with our new grantmaking focus.

  • Applicants will typically be notified within 2–3 business days after submitting an LOI whether they are invited to apply.

  • Submitting your LOI earlier within the cycle gives you more time to prepare a full application if invited.

3. Full Application

·       You must fill out an LOI and be invited to submit a full application.

·       Application deadlines are: February 22, May 22, August 22, October 22.

·       Not all applicants who are invited to submit a full application will receive funding.