Jennings Grants Programs
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is committed to strengthening Ohio’s PK–12 public education system by investing in the people and practices that make learning possible.
Our grantmaking is guided by a three-part framework that recognizes lasting educational improvement depends on advancing teachers, students, and public education systems together. Each focus area is essential, and together they create the conditions for meaningful, sustained impact across Ohio’s public schools.
All grant requests are reviewed through this lens, with priority given to proposals that demonstrate clear alignment with one or more of these strategic focus areas.The Foundation typically receives more proposals than can be funded in a grant period. The information below provides a roadmap to submitting a strong grant application. Grant monies are for one year only.
Three Funding Themes
Our strategy is rooted in the instructional core of education: skilled teachers, engaged students, and strong learning contexts. Rather than funding isolated activities, we invest in project-based work that strengthens teaching practice, deepens student learning, and contributes to a more equitable and effective public education system statewide.
Applicants are asked to clearly identify how their proposed work aligns with one or more of the focus areas below.
1: Advancing Teachers and the Teaching Profession
Teachers are central to student learning and school improvement. MHJF invests in projects that strengthen the capacity, leadership, and professional growth of educators across Ohio.
We support work that recognizes teachers as professionals, innovators, and leaders—capable of shaping instructional change within their classrooms, schools, and districts.
We Prioritize Projects That:
Strengthen teacher leadership, innovation, professional development, and retention
Deepen subject-matter expertise and pedagogical skill
Support collaborative learning among educators
Introduce instructional approaches that meaningfully shift teaching practice
Honor diverse student experiences while maintaining academic rigor
Strong proposals demonstrate how teacher learning will translate into improved instruction and benefit students over time.
2: 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.
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
Successful proposals articulate what students will learn and be able to do differently as a result of the project.
3: Advancing Public Education in Ohio
MHJF is deeply committed to strengthening Ohio’s public education system as a whole. Beyond individual classrooms or schools, we invest in work that contributes to system-level improvement, equity, and sustainability.
This focus area emphasizes collaboration, shared learning, and long-term benefit to public education across the state.
We Prioritize Projects That:
Strengthen Ohio’s public education ecosystem through partnerships and collaboration
Align with district priorities and identified community needs
Invest in evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes
Expand access and opportunity for historically underserved students
Create models, practices, or insights that can be shared or scaled beyond the grant period
We consider how projects generate immediate impact, ripple effects, and sustained contributions to public education in Ohio.
A note on your budget…
The Foundation seeks to be a partner in funding, not the sole funder of a project so that it’s continued success into the future is evident. We believe in transparency and shared responsibility.
A strong budget:
has alignment between all requested items and project goals, all items requested are necessary for the project's success
lists other sources of funding, including school or district participation, so that the Foundation knows there is broad support and the potential for sustainability is evident
What we do not fund…
What We Do Not Fund
To ensure our funding remains focused on direct programmatic impact, MHJF does not provide grants for:
Capital improvements or construction
Indirect costs, overhead, or fringe benefits
Endowment or capital campaigns
Facility fees
Storage units
Expenses Considered Only as Part of a Project
The Foundation may consider funding the following only when they are integral components of a broader, aligned project. These items will not be funded as stand-alone requests:
Travel expenses
School bus transportation
Field trips or admission fees
Incentives
Curriculum writing
Time or stipends for participating in staff development
School supplies
Refreshments or food
Awards
T-shirts or promotional materials
Technology
Equipment
Books
Applicants must clearly demonstrate how these costs directly support project goals and advance teaching, learning, or public education.
Which grant program is right for you?
Open Grants
Who can apply?
Public school districts in any county of Ohio
Non-religious private schools in Ohio working in conjunction with public schools
501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that assist PK-12 public schools in Ohio
Guidelines
The typical Open Grant is $15,000 (the amount requested must match the total amount of your budget requested from MHJF).
Open Grant requests must be for one year only. 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.
Jennings-Fund for Teachers
Who can apply?
Full-time Ohio public school teachers with at least three years of experience by the time of their fellowship
Must plan to return to the classroom following fellowship & demonstrate the ability to incorporate what was learned into their teaching
Guidelines
Individuals may apply for up to $5,000, and teams may apply for up to $10,000 (team members may be from different schools or districts. All members must meet the eligibility).
Proposals that prioritize teachers seeking solutions to their own, genuine problems of practice will be best aligned with our grant goals. Proposals that have the potential to center students as changemakers for problems in their communities are highly encouraged.
Grants-to-Educators
Who can apply?
Any PK-12 teacher or administrator in Ohio’s non-religious, public schools
Guidelines
The Grants-to-Educators program encourages individual educators to try innovative, smaller-scale activities within their classroom, school, or district.
The maximum grant is $3,000 (the amount requested must match the total amount of your budget).
Grant monies must be used within a one year period.