Innovative Education Fund Grant: Innovation for Impact Fund

Innovative Education Fund Grant: Innovation for Impact Fund

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE)
Amount: Up to US $30,000
Last Updated: March 07, 2026

Summary

The Innovative Education Fund Grant, offered by the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, supports schools in implementing innovative programs that address critical educational challenges. With funding available up to $30,000, eligible applicants include school administrators from Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) schools. This initiative aims to foster educational excellence by enabling schools to design, pilot, and evaluate transformative programs tailored to their unique needs.

Overview

Note: The 2026 Innovative Education Fund features two programs: Innovation for Impact Fund and Prototype/Expansion Grants. Georgia Foundation for Public Education The Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) exists for the single purpose of supporting educational excellence for students in Georgia. We provide simple ways for donors to impactfully serve students in Georgia's K-12 public school system. We accomplish this by investing in projects and by fostering relationships with donors – all to fund GFPE's vision of public school excellence. Together, we're creating a better future for the 1.7 million students in Georgia's public schools. GFPE was created in 2010 by the Georgia General Assembly to support educational excellence in our state. This mission includes the three state schools for visually and hearing-impaired students. Innovative Education Fund The Innovative Education Fund (IEF) provides funding to Georgia schools and districts implementing innovative programs at various levels. The Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) defines innovative education programs as those that contribute solutions to improve outcomes for Georgia students. The Fund is designed to provide a pathway for schools and districts to design, implement, and scale innovative programs that have the potential to transform education in their context. The Innovative Education Fund is made possible through the PEACH Education Tax Credit. The GFPE defines characteristics of innovative programs as those that are: Targeting the Root Cause of a Problem Inclusive Disruptive & Transformative Contextualized A Breakthrough Approach Grant Expectations Here are the expectations for Innovative Education Fund grantees: The Innovative Education Fund grant will be awarded up front.Innovative Education Fund grantees are responsible for tracking the outcomes of the project or program. The evaluation reports are the grantee’s opportunity to share the project’s progress, outcomes, lessons learned, and best practices. Grantees will submit three evaluation reports, one at Mid-Year Report (may be “verbal” and/or a site visit) and one Final Grant Evaluation at the completion of the program (must be the online template). When appropriate, representatives from the GFPE may request an in-person or virtual site visit to observe the program/project. Grantees may also request site visits to showcase the work or if course correction is needed. Grantees are required to recognize the GFPE as funders of the work at least five times throughout the grant period. Any media or social media posting must include the GFPE’s logo, social media handles, and be shared with the GFPE. The 2026 Innovative Education Fund features two programs: Prototype/Expansion Grants and Innovation for Impact Fund. Innovation for Impact Fund The Innovation for Impact Fund is a capacity-building opportunity designed specifically for schools recognized as Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI). Here is how it works: Step 1 School districts identified as CSI and TSI schools are invited to apply using a commitment/capacity screening application. Districts participate in a half-day virtual “Innovation Sprint” that helps them identify a single high-impact barrier (attendance, literacy gaps, staff burnout, etc.). Using examples of innovative programs implemented throughout the country, participants will have the opportunity to design a program to pilot based on the challenges the district is facing. Step 2 Within two weeks of the Innovation Sprint, participating schools are invited to apply got a grant of up to $30,000 to pilot their program over 12 months. GFPE will remain on standby for office hours and targeted support when needed as schools put their proposals together. Follow-up throughout implementation: GFPE will offer weekly optional office hours and mid-year check-ins for support. Grantees will submit a final evaluation report at the end of the grant period.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. You are eligible to apply for the Innovation for Impact Fund if: You are a school administrator, principal, or instructional coach at a charter school or traditional public school identified on the Georgia Department of Education’s Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) lists. If you are a school administrator, principal, or instructional coach at a Georgia public school applying, please ensure that your district is aware of the application before submitting.You are another type of leadership-level administrator in a Georgia school district and applying on behalf of a public school identified on the Georgia Department of Education’s Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) lists.You commit to actively participating in virtual a capacity-building, half-day Innovation Sprint, where you will have the opportunity to identify a challenge the school is facing and its root cause, as well as design a program to address the challenge. The event will be held in May.After participation in the Innovation Sprint, you will be invited to apply for a grant of up to $30,000 to pilot a program at your school that addresses a challenge your school is facing.