Teachers may apply individually for grants of up to $1,500, or collaborate with other teachers in their school and submit a joint application with a total sum of no more than $3,000. Joint applications should be from a team of similar grade-level or subject area teachers at the same school. Though there is no limit on the number of applications that may be submitted from any one school, to ensure that grant dollars are distributed to a wide range of geographically diverse schools and teachers across the targeted districts, the foundation will not award more than one grant to an individual school within the same grant cycle.

Renewals

An applicant who successfully completes a Fund for Educational Excellence grant project may apply to renew his/her grant for an additional year. Note: Renewals are not automatic. A new application must be submitted.  The grant committee will expect to receive the completed final report or a detailed interim report from the previous year's award at the time of submission of the renewal application.

Eligible Activities or Expenses:

• The enhancement or expansion of current projects with demonstrated success
• Field trips that have a direct and measurable impact on student learning.
• Consultants
• Substitute teacher expenses to allow applicant to develop the project
• Out-of-school planning and preparation time (up to $150 per educator, not to exceed $900).

Ineligible Activities or Expenses:

Grant funds may not be used for the following:

• Field trips for only a select group of students within a classroom
• Costs of items normally included in the school’s general operating budget
• Continuing education or summer educational travel for educators
• Educator salaries (except for $150 per applicant for project planning and preparation)
• Existing obligations, or to replenish other resources used to pay for such expenses
• Equipment purchases, unless equipment is an essential component of proposed project
• Computer hardware or equipment such as digital or video cameras
• Sectarian purposes