Duluth Public Schools Fund Grant Program

The Duluth Public School Funds Grant Program, managed by Boreal Waters Community Foundation, awards grants ranging from $500 to $2000 annually to Duluth Public School staff for projects aimed at enhancing student growth. This year, due to remote learning challenges, grants between $500 and $5000 may also be awarded for mental health initiatives. The program emphasizes measurable skills, demonstrated needs, and aims to enrich the overall student experience.

Mission:
The Duluth Public Schools Fund provides annual grant support to enhance student learning and well-being within ISD #709 – Duluth Public Schools and is available to Duluth Public Schools staff.
‍1. Focus on measurable skills that impact student growth
Projects should clearly identify the specific skills students will gain and how those skills will be measured over time. This can include academic skills (literacy, numeracy, STEM competencies), social–emotional skills, creative skills, or career-connected abilities. Strong proposals will articulate:

• The skill(s) targeted
• The method for assessing growth (rubrics, pre/post assessments, student work samples, observation logs, etc.)
• How the project meaningfully advances student development beyond existing learning opportunities

1. Demonstrated need

Proposals should address a clearly defined need within a classroom, program, or school community. Strong applications will:

• Use data, observation, or student feedback to show why the need existsExplain who is most affected and why this project is the right response
• Describe gaps or barriers currently experienced by students
• Show alignment with broader school or district priorities‍

1. Project replication by future educators

Priority is given to initiatives that can be repeated, scaled, or adapted by other educators across buildings or grade levels. Strong proposals will show:

• A clear process or model that others can follow
• Materials, lesson plans, or frameworks that can be shared
• How the project builds capacity within the school community, not just for one classroom
• Potential for long-term sustainability

1. Enhancement of current curriculum

Projects should enrich or elevate what students are already learning—not replace the curriculum, but add depth, creativity, or relevance. Strong proposals might:

• Integrate new instructional strategies or hands-on learning experiences
• Expand access to materials, technology, or real-world applications
• Add culturally responsive or inclusive content
• Improve engagement, understanding, or skill mastery

1. Enrich academic, cultural, athletic, or overall student experience

Funding may support programs that broaden the horizons of students and enhance their school experience as a whole. Examples include:

• Academic enrichment (STEM labs, reading initiatives, arts integration)
• Cultural learning (heritage programs, intercultural exchange, language and arts experiences)
• Athletics (equipment, new programming, inclusive sports opportunities)
• Whole-student experiences (social-emotional learning, leadership development, outdoor learning)

1. For building-wide proposals: Priority will be given to projects that address the mental health of students

Any project impacting an entire school must include a strategy—large or small—for supporting student mental health and well-being. This could include:

• Trauma-informed practices
• Schoolwide SEL initiatives
• Supports that reduce stress, strengthen belonging, or create safer school climates
• Activities that build resilience, connection, or peer support
• Partnerships with mental health professionals or community resources
• Building proposals must have the principal’s approval of the project described in the application.

Eligibility

Available to Duluth Public Schools staff.

Ineligibility

Restrictions:

• Transportation costs
• Salaries
• Stipends
• Student fees
• Support for outside of school organizations