EFW Teacher and Educator Grants

Geographic Scope: Wauwatosa School District, Wisconsin

Program Description

The Education Foundation of Wauwatosa (EFW) provides annual grants to support innovative programs and learning opportunities across Wauwatosa public schools. Since 1992, the foundation has awarded over $1.4 million in grants to enhance student learning experiences.

Award History

• 2026: $180,296 across 16 grants (historic record)
• 2025: Approximately $71,656 across 6 grants
• 2024: Approximately $43,178 across 8 grants
• 2023: $73,000+ across 9 grants
• 2022: $71,612 across 8 grants

Eligibility

• Applicants: All Wauwatosa public school district educators, staff, and students
• Student applicants must be sponsored by a faculty member
• Applicants can be: individual teachers, building-level administrators, department members, school employees, or collaborative groups of educators
• Collaborative groups must work together in a school program or curricular area implementing new instructional strategies

Funding Focus

All innovative projects maximizing the potential of Wauwatosa Public Schools and its students will be considered. Priority given to applications utilizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Past grants have supported programs in:

• Reading, writing, science, vocabulary, math
• Physics, geography, environment, technology
• Critical thinking, creative problem solving
• Physical education, life skills, journalism
• Art, team-building, world language, music
• Engineering, theater, career counseling
• Student regulation and sensory learning
• Adaptive equipment and inclusive education
• Technology and digital tools

What EFW Does NOT Fund

• Professional development
• Additional staffing/personnel
• Field trips
• Capital improvements
• Assembly speaker fees
• Shipping and delivery costs
• Consumables (art supplies, 3D printing filament, science project supplies) except for new programs only
• Subscriptions (except for new programs only)
• Replacement consumables or filament for existing programs
• The same grant twice (though subsequent expansion may be considered)
• Programs that supplant currently funded programs

Additional Restrictions

• Generally will not fund the same grant twice
• If based on a previously awarded grant, applicants must explain how their grant will be adapted and enhanced
• Shipping and delivery costs cannot be included in funding requests

Timeline

• Application Window: September - January (annually)
• Final Decisions: Announced in March
• Note: The 2026 grant application window has closed. Applications typically reopen in Fall 2026.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from the EFW website
2. Answer all application questions
3. Submit your application using one of these methods:
   • U.S. mail
   • Interoffice district mail
   • Email (electronic submission)

Required Materials

• Completed application form
• Response to all application questions
• Proposal title and description
• Budget breakdown
• Detailed explanation of how funds will be used

Review Process

• Initial Review: EFW Grants Committee reviews submissions once per year
• Board Vote: Finalists advance to full board for voting
• Decision Announcement: Winners announced in March

Grant Amount Guidance

• No specific dollar limits but past grants range from $200 to $50,000
• Applicants encouraged to review past grant winners
• Recommended to contact former grant recipients or EFW staff to discuss appropriate amount
• Grant requests should not supplant currently funded programs

Evaluation Criteria

• Innovation emphasis: Prioritization given to innovative approaches to teaching and learning
• Refer to Grant Rubric for detailed evaluation criteria
• Refer to Grant Guidelines for additional information

Additional Resources

• Grant Guidelines document
• Grant Rubric document
• List of past grant recipients available on website
• Contact EFW for questions: info@tosaefw.org