GAR Foundation: Educator Initiative Grant

The GAR Foundation's Educator Initiative Grant (EIG) supports innovative classroom projects in Summit County, enhancing teaching and learning since 2004. Grants range from $5,000 for individual classroom improvements to $10,000 for projects affecting multiple classrooms or departments. The EIG program encourages educators to develop impactful initiatives that foster student engagement and achievement. However, it does not fund stipends, furniture, standard supplies, or materials unrelated to curricular goals, ensuring that investments directly benefit educational outcomes.

NOTE: The application period for the 2024-2025 EIG has officially closed.
The GAR Foundation is dedicated to supporting high-quality teaching and engaged learning for Summit County. Since 2004, the Educator Initiative Grant (EIG) program has annually supported teacher-initiated, classroom-based projects in Summit County.
How Much Should I Request?
Grants to improve achievement in one classroom: Up to $5,000Grants to improve achievement in two or more classrooms, grade levels, or departments: Up to $10,000

Ineligibility

EIG does not fund:Teacher stipendsFurniture or capital improvementsIncentives or rewards for students (pencils, pens, stickers, etc)Standard school suppliesAny materials or supplies not connected to the curricular purpose of EIG (See rubric)

Application Details

Helping Akron become smarter,
stronger, and more vibrant.
Who Can Apply

• Individual classroom teachers or teams of K-12 Summit County educators in public, private,

parochial or not-for-profit charter schools.

• Individual classrooms are eligible for up to $5,000, and teaching teams (two or more

classrooms) can receive up to a maximum of $10,000.
Priority is given to the following:

• • Projects/programs that help students meet or exceed Ohio’s learning standards, especially
• those related to social emotional learning.
• • Projects/programs that help teachers and students become aware of and achieve equity and
• inclusion.
• • Projects that demonstrate support for keeping learners on track for college and career
• readiness, as demonstrated by progress along six key transition points on the cradle to
• career journey.
• • Projects that include relevant professional development that will enhance the overall
• teaching and learning experience.
• How to Apply
• Follow these six steps:

1. Identify a Team Leader: Identify the educator who will serve as the primary contact for your

team and school. Team leaders are not permitted to lead more than one project.

1. Read the Rubric: Review the Educator Initiative Grant evaluation rubric/checklist to ensure

you’re meeting all of the guidelines.

1. Download the Application Template: View the blank application form to prepare for the

questions.

1. Obtain the Necessary Signatures: Make sure to allow enough time to obtain both your

Principal’s and Superintendent’s signature on the endorsement form that accompanies your
application for your project.

1. Complete the Project Budget: Use the project budget spreadsheet template provided to

itemize and tally the total expenses for your project. Please ensure you complete the
rationale section for each of your line items, and that the total on your project budget
matches the amount requested in your application. Submit this form with your completed
application.

1. Apply Online: Complete the online application form on GAR’s website. The application

period traditionally opens on December 1st each year.
277 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 576-2926 | www.garfoundation.org

Misc. Info

• No attachments will be accepted other than your project budget and endorsement form.
• You do not need to complete a Letter of Inquiry for an EIG application.
• All applications must be submitted online to GAR Foundation no later than

Friday, February 21, 2025 by 5:00 pm.

• Notification of awards will take place in May.
• Any questions or requests for guidance or help should be directed to:
• Lucille Esposito
• EIG Program Manager

277 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 576-2926 | www.garfoundation.org

Then the maximum amount of funding
If your project is focused on:

• available for your proposal is:
• Improved achievement in one classroom Up to $5,000
• Improved achievement in two or more classrooms Up to $10,000
• Budget Expense Guide
• Category Budget Expense Notes
• Technology is often integral to
• the success of the entire
• Technology Up to 40%
• project. However, it should not
• exceed 40% of the budget.
• No more than 10% of
• Substitutes Up to 10% requested funds may be used
• for substitutes.
• No more than 50% of
• Professional Development Up to 50% requested funds may be used
• for professional development.
• No more than $500 of
• Refreshments Up to $500 requested funds may be used
• for refreshments.
• Teacher stipends 0 Not eligible for funding
• Capital improvements 0 Not eligible for funding
• Incentives or rewards for
• 0 Not eligible for funding
• students
• T-shirts or clothing 0 Not eligible for funding
• Standard school supplies 0 Not eligible for funding

277 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 576-2926 | www.garfoundation.org

100 Total
The following rubric reflects how the EIG Evaluation Team will assess your grant
Points
application. Use this as a guide when writing your proposal.
Required
A succinct, two-sentence description of your project and desired outcome.
Project Description
The project description clearly conveys the need for the project, and goals for student
20
achievement. Specific standards that are addressed by the project are identified, and the
project is demonstrably innovative and creative.
Compelling Story
The proposal articulates teachers’ sincere belief in why the project will support student
20
achievement or learning. The reader is compelled by specific data or practices that support
the assertions.
Cradle to Career Continuum
The proposal indicates that the applicant has identified how the project supports students’
learning along the six key transition points on the cradle to career journey. It is clear that 5
the applicant understands their work as part of a larger continuum of learning for each
student.
Teacher/Student Impact & Growth

• The proposal advances social emotional learning for all students, and links directly

to identified Ohio’s Learning Standards for Social Emotional Development.

• The proposed project integrates the use of culturally relevant practices, whenever

the project addresses building student empathy, connecting students to different
cultures, improving classroom climate, self-regulation or discipline.
20

• The project identifies if different groups or cultures beyond the classroom are

introduced to students, or reinforced as an expansion of their current cultural
understanding.

• Relevant professional development that will enhance the overall teaching and

learning experience.
Sustainability and Replicability

• The proposal indicates how educators will promote and communicate the project.

See here for an example.

• The proposal identifies ways that other teachers can be inspired to join in the 20

project, and/or replicate or model the project in their own classrooms or buildings.

• The proposal indicates how educators will sustain the work and continue to

develop their own learning as a result of the project.
Technology

• The proposal indicates the need for technology and how it will be integrated.

15

• If technology is not used, the applicant has explained how the project will achieve

their stated goal without the use of technology.
Budget

• Explanation section of the budget is required to be filled out for consideration. Required

Applications will not be considered if left blank.
277 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 576-2926 | www.garfoundation.org

Endorsement Form
By signing this Endorsement Form, you acknowledge that the proposal meets the focus of the
School’s or District’s mission and supports your school improvement plan. The district also accepts
fiscal responsibility for any grant resulting from this request.
(Amount Requested)
________________________________________________________________________
Name of School
________________________________________________________________________
Date
277 E. Mill St., Akron, OH 44308 | (330) 576-2926 | www.garfoundation.org