Great Idea Grants

The primary grant program offered by Birmingham Education Foundation (BEF) to support teacher initiatives, innovation, and student experiences that fall outside regular school or district budgets.

Geographic Scope: Birmingham Public Schools (BPS) district, Michigan

Focus Areas:

• Arts
• Academics
• Athletics
• Technology
• Character Education
• Mental Health

Eligibility:

• Open to BPS teachers
• Grant requests must fall outside regular school building or district budgeting
• Initiatives must connect to one of six supported areas: arts, academics, athletics, technology, character education, or mental health
• Applications must be approved by school administrator
• Grant seekers must have asked at minimum: Principal, PTA, and Department Chair for funding before approaching BEF (not required to receive funding, just to ask)

Funding Details:

• Eligible for full funding for two years, and 50% funding for a third year
• Funds must be spent within one calendar year or returned to BEF
• All materials and equipment funded become property of BPS

What BEF Does NOT Fund:

• BPS staff salaries or substitute teacher pay
• Transportation
• Consumables (food)
• Professional development
• Events/programs that have already taken place
• Core curriculum needs (textbooks, staffing)
• Equipment or repairs
• Grants involving technology subject to BPS technology policies

Organization Details:

• Funder: Birmingham Education Foundation (BEF)
• Type: 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• Address: 31301 Evergreen Rd., Beverly Hills, MI 48025
• Contact: Kathy Zanolli, Executive Director
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 248-203-3030 (ext. 33030)
• Website: supportbef.org

Application Timeline:

• Applications considered monthly September - January, and March & April
• Grants submitted on or before the 1st of each month reviewed during the second full week of that month
• Grants submitted after the 1st reviewed the following month
• Technology grants due by March 1st (reviewed in March)

Grant Committee:
Made up of educators and community members who evaluate applications based on alignment with BEF mission, strategic goals, and curriculum connection.

How to Apply

1. Review Requirements:
   • Review grant guidelines at: https://www.supportbef.org/grant-guidelines.html
   • Download and review "Sample Grant Application"
   • Download and review "Grant Evaluation Questions & Hints for Applicants"
2. Prepare Your Application:
   • Use the provided application template to draft responses
   • Do NOT save progress directly in the online form (form cannot save progress)
   • Cut and paste completed responses into the online form
3. Submit Application:
   • Submit online grant application form
   • Applications must be approved by your school administrator before BEF will consider them
   • BEF will download your application and email it to your administrator for approval
4. Required Materials:
   • Completed application form with all required information
   • Administrator approval (obtained by BEF after submission)
5. Application Content Sections:
   • Project/initiative description
   • Connection to one of six focus areas (arts, academics, athletics, technology, character education, mental health)
   • Budget details
   • Alignment with BPS strategic plan and curriculum
   • Student impact explanation
   • Timeline for fund usage (within one calendar year)

Pre-Application Checklist:

• Have you asked your Principal for funding?
• Have you asked your PTA for funding?
• Have you asked your Department Chair for funding?

(You do not need to have received funding, only to have asked)

Support:

• For questions before applying, contact Executive Director Kathy Zanolli
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 248-203-3030 (ext. 33030)
• Executive Director can discuss grant ideas and advise on fit with BEF mission