Innovative Technology Education Fund
Innovative Technology Education Fund (ITEF) is a Saint Louis, Missouri–based private foundation that supports K–12 learning through innovative uses of technology. Its website describes funding for technology and educational projects in schools across the greater St. Louis region, as well as opportunities for educators to develop their practice.
Innovative Technology Education Fund at a glance
In short: Innovative Technology Education Fund gave $392K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in Missouri. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $392,241
- -22.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -26.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,017
- +5.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,037
- Total assets
- $10,734,706
- +12.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (4 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Innovative Technology Education Fund
- How to Apply
-
The funder’s filing states that an RFP and application are available online and directs applicants to the website for deadlines and award restrictions.
- Contact
Application contact: Innovative Technology Education Fun
Mailing address: 20 South Sarah, St Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 725-4833
Website: https://www.innovteched.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Innovative Technology Education Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Normandy Schools Collaborative ($71K). Together the top 10 received $375K.
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 101 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ITEF identifies its service area as the Saint Louis Metro Area, with eligible school ZIP codes in Missouri and Illinois. Its website reports $7.28 million in awards to schools spanning 140 ZIP codes since 2006. St. Louis Public School educators are directed to explore opportunities through the St. Louis Education Fund; ITEF states that it cannot currently make direct grants to SLPS institutions. In 2024, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Innovative Technology Education Fund open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 14 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $33K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $27K first-time, $13K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $296K (2021) to $548K (2020). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $392K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Normandy Schools Collaborative St. Louis, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $70,515 |
| Special School District of University City University City, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $60,564 |
| Maplewood Richmond Heights School District Maplewood, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $59,791 |
| The School District of University City University City, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $58,594 |
| Hillsboro R-3 School District Hillsboro, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $30,000 |
| Lebanon Community School District Lebanon, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $29,996 |
| Sunrise R-9 School District Desoto, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $23,573 |
| Al-Salam Day School Manchester, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $16,500 |
| Hancock Place School District St. Louis, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $12,954 |
| Valley Park School District Valley Park, MO | General Support of Technology in Education. | $12,954 |
Ready to take the next step with Innovative Technology Education Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,734,706 | $1,777,593 | $917,492 | $392,241 | 14 | $827,455 | $1,694,717 | $641,531 |
| 2023 | $9,576,724 | $1,470,943 | $1,052,588 | $503,269 | 19 | $969,417 | $1,406,285 | $557,792 |
| 2022 | $8,351,619 | $1,421,857 | $974,510 | $478,472 | 16 | $900,512 | $1,354,540 | $547,100 |
| 2021 | $9,538,477 | $1,436,075 | $651,735 | $295,741 | 24 | $575,140 | $1,342,999 | $563,478 |
| 2020 | $7,921,963 | $1,510,724 | $885,138 | $548,160 | 28 | — | $1,476,764 | $459,396 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Innovative Technology Education Fund reported a distributable amount of $642K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ITEF’s mission is to accelerate learning in K–12 spaces through innovative uses of technology, with attention to underserved schools and communities. Its vision emphasizes technology as a way for students to explore, solve problems, and use their imagination.
The funder offers grants for innovative classroom or school projects, basic technology and infrastructure, and educator professional development. Its website describes funding for public, private, parochial, and charter schools in the region. Professional development awards can support activities such as attending a conference, bringing an expert to a school or district, collaborating with educators, or visiting another school.
Grantmaking
In 2024, ITEF awarded 14 grants totaling $392,241. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $70,515, with a median of $20,036. The largest awards included $70,515 to Normandy Schools Collaborative, $60,564 to Special School District of University City, $59,791 to Maplewood Richmond Heights School District, and $58,594 to The School District of University City. Each was for general support of technology in education.
ITEF’s website describes three grant opportunities. The annual Innovator Grant supports new or expanded K–12 technology projects; the application period listed is November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. The Catapult Technology Infrastructure Grant supports basic equipment or technology, with a maximum award of $30,000 and an application period listed as September 1 through October 31, 2026. The Lean into Learning Professional Development Grant supports K–12 educators’ professional development; applications are listed as beginning May 1, 2027, and are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are spent. For this program, requests may be up to $5,000 for at least two educators, or up to $25,000 for a group of five or more attending the same conference.
Applications and rubrics are available on ITEF’s website. Applicants must have support from their superintendent or head of school and their information technology department; grant recipients are asked to provide quarterly reports, participate in mid-project visits, and submit a final report. Applicants must have held their charter for at least three years. The Catapult program gives priority consideration to schools with at least 50% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. ITEF lists individual scholarships, annual appeals, endowments, and political activities among what its grants do not support. Faith-based organizations are excluded unless the support is for an accredited K–12 educational institution.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charmaine Smith as executive director. Joseph P. Komos is director and board chair, and Bill Kent is director and vice chair. Other listed directors are Sherita Haigler, Rikki Henry, Jere Hochman, Grace Lee, Heidi Lim, Maren Mellem, and Carl Reed.
Innovative Technology Education Fund is led by Charmaine Smith, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charmaine Smith
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$108K (2020) → $119K (2024)
Joseph P. Komos
Director & Board Chair
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Kent
Director & Vice Chair
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Reed
Director
Director → Director & Board Chair, 2023
Director & Board Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherita Haigler
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Scimone
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Lee
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jere Hochman
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maren Mellem
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Lim
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kendall Ware
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rikki Henry
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Christopher Grabau (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jane Vancil (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Carol Nelson (2020–2022) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Cheryl Watkins-Moore (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin Stokes (2020–2022) — Director & Board Chair
- Former: Raven Akram (2020–2022) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Tanya Yatzeck (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $119K, to Charmaine Smith (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Innovative Technology Education Fund
How much does Innovative Technology Education Fund give each year?
Innovative Technology Education Fund gave $392K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $503K across 19 grants.
What is Innovative Technology Education Fund's typical grant size?
Innovative Technology Education Fund's median grant in 2024 was $20,037, and its average grant was $28,017, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Innovative Technology Education Fund that year got $33K on average.
Where does Innovative Technology Education Fund give grants?
Innovative Technology Education Fund gives mostly in Missouri: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (4 grants) and University City, MO (2 grants).
Does Innovative Technology Education Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Innovative Technology Education Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Innovative Technology Education Fund's largest grantees?
Innovative Technology Education Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Normandy Schools Collaborative ($70,515), Special School District of University City ($60,564) and Maplewood Richmond Heights School District ($59,791), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Innovative Technology Education Fund?
Innovative Technology Education Fund reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $827K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $642K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Innovative Technology Education Fund fund?
ITEF’s mission is to accelerate learning in K–12 spaces through innovative uses of technology, with attention to underserved schools and communities. Its vision emphasizes technology as a way for students to explore, solve problems, and use their imagination. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Innovative Technology Education Fund?
The funder’s filing states that an RFP and application are available online and directs applicants to the website for deadlines and award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Innovative Technology Education Fund's EIN?
Innovative Technology Education Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1689900. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 20, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Innovative Technology Education Fund funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Innovative Technology Education Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
St Louis Community Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The St. Louis Community Foundation’s discretionary grants focus on economic mobility—such as housing, financial health, and jobs—and youth connections, including early education, educational innovation, and scholarships; it also administers grants for private and family foundations with their own priorities. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $11,000, and recipients were primarily in Missouri, with others in Kansas, New York, Illinois, and Colorado.
Assets
$104.0M
Grants
228
Total Given
$6.6M
World Wide Technology Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The World Wide Technology Foundation funds career readiness, STEM education and workforce development, human services, social justice and basic needs, and health and wellness, with support concentrated in Missouri, especially the St. Louis area, but also reaching organizations elsewhere in the U.S. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $608,000, with a median of $8,000. Although its grant program says applications are welcome year-round, the foundation’s filing states that it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$23.7M
Grants
221
Total Given
$11.3M
Elizabeth G Danforth Charitable Fdn
Clayton, MO
Assets
$269
Grants
2
Total Given
$30K
The Joan & John Vatterott
St. Louis, MO
The Joan & John Vatterott funds organizations working in areas including education, criminal justice journalism, and crisis response, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Missouri and others to New York and Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $125 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.9M
Grants
11
Total Given
$222K
Berges Family Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The Berges Family Foundation funds youth and families, STEM, first responders and veterans, and arts, cultural, and civic work, with a strong focus on strengthening the St. Louis region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $4 million, with a median of $100,000, and most funding went to Missouri recipients. It accepts online Letters of Inquiry; a limited number of applicants are invited to submit full proposals.
Assets
$100.7M
Grants
57
Total Given
$16.2M
The William R Orthwein Jr and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation Inc
St. Louis, MO
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including cultural, educational, health, and community groups, with most of its giving in Missouri. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000 and ranged from $10,000 to $531,505. It accepts proposals from organizations without limiting giving to preselected recipients; applicants must submit an application form and a two-page cover letter.
Assets
$76.7M
Grants
43
Total Given
$5.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Innovative Technology Education Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Innovative Technology Education Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?