EEFF Educational Leadership Grant

EEFF Educational Leadership Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Edward E. Ford Foundation
Amount: Up to US $250,000
Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Summary

The EEFF Educational Leadership Grant, initiated in 2008 by the Edward E. Ford Foundation, supports innovative proposals from independent schools that aim to impact educational practices nationally. Schools can apply without prior invitations, and grants are awarded based on proposal quality. Eligibility includes serving grades 9-12, having a diverse mission, and a head of school in their third year. The program encourages original thinking and partnerships beyond the school community, aiming for significant, replicable change.

Overview

NOTE: Step-by-Step Application Process: 1) Request Agenda Placement; 2) Agenda Placement Call — If your school is eligible to be placed on an Agenda, we will schedule a phone call between your Head of School and the Executive Director of the EE Ford Foundation; 3) Preliminary Proposal —You should only begin your preliminary Leadership Grant proposal if you have been placed on an Agenda. The following two steps only apply to schools that are selected as finalists; 4) School Visit;  5) Final Submission —Online Application Form : September 1, Project Proposal and Financials: October 1 Educational Leadership Grants Starting in 2008, the Foundation dedicated one of its three annual grant-making cycles to the Educational Leadership Grant program— larger grants to fewer schools— that was initially by invitation only. Beginning with the 2018 agenda, the Foundation allowed schools to pursue placement on an Educational Leadership Grant Agenda without first being invited to do so. The Foundation Board wants these Educational Leadership Grants to be generative. We seek proposals that: Promise a significant impact on the practice and thinking in the independent school community throughout the country Are innovative and replicable Have a “ripple” effect where the benefits of the successful pursuit of an idea will not be limited to a single school Encourage bold, new ideas that address challenges faced by independent schools Represent original thinking and can conceivably catalyze change Inspire creative problem-solving and incubate novel approachesInvolve partnerships outside of the immediate school community when appropriate Educational Leadership Grants are awarded based on the quality of the proposal and other considerations in terms of the school's operation, but it does not favor certain areas of independent school work. You can seek guidance as to what sort of proposals have been funded in the past but schools should identify their own greatest institutional need that they think the Foundation can help address.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. All applying schools must:At least serve a 9–12th grade program.Be a full member of NAIS.Have a mission to serve a diverse population.Have a current Head of School who is serving in at least their 2nd year (Traditional Grant) or 3rd year (Leadership Grant) before a proposal from the school can be considered and must plan to remain in the role for the period of time specified to raise the match.Not have applied for funding from the EE Ford Foundation within the last 4 years. All applying associations must:Have a proposal that supports the work of students and faculty in independent secondary schools, grades 9-12. Support will not be provided for administrative expenses of the Association.Have a current Association Executive Director serving in at least their 2nd year.Not have applied for funding from the EE Ford Foundation within the last 4 years.Is there a Leadership term requirement?Yes. In order to bring a proposal for consideration, the current head of school must be serving in at least their 3rd year (Leadership Grant) and must plan to remain in the role for the period of time specified to raise the match. Association Executive Directors must be serving in at least their 2nd year.All grants must be matched at least one-to-one (1:1). Typically, schools that apply for Educational Leadership Grants have already been part of a Traditional Grant Agenda, though not always. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applicant schools must be a member of NAIS.