Innovative Education Fund Grant: Prototype/Expansion Grants

The Innovative Education Fund Grant Program, established by the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, offers funding for public schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits to implement innovative solutions that improve educational outcomes for Georgia's K-12 students. This initiative aims to support transformative and inclusive programs over an 18-month period, helping organizations tackle root causes of educational challenges. Grants are funded through donations from the PEACH Education Tax Credit, promoting excellence in Georgia's public school system.

Note: The 2026 Innovative Education Fund features two programs: Prototype/Expansion Grants and Innovation for Impact Fund.
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.
This mission includes the three state schools for visually and hearing-impaired students.
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.
Prototype Grant: Provides $25,000-$50,000 over 12 months (one year) to pilot an innovative education program that has the potential to impact student outcomes and transform teaching/learning practices at the school or district.
Expansion Grant: Provides $25,000-$50,000 over 12 months (one year) to scale an innovative education program that has a proven track record of impacting student outcomes and transform teaching/learning practices at the school or district.
Application Submission Limits
Schools are limited to ONE submission per school for the Prototype and Expansion Grant.
School districts are limited to ONE submission per school for the Prototype and Expansion Grants.
Georgia 501(c)(3) organizations are limited to ONE submission for the Prototype and Expansion Grants.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for a Prototype or Expansion Grant if:
You are a school administrator, principal, or instructional coach at a charter school or traditional public school in the state of Georgia. 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 LEA.
You are a Georgia 501(c)(3) partnering with a Georgia school or school district. If you are a 501(c)(3) organization, you must include a Letter of Commitment from the school or district with which you are partnered. The letter must be signed by the school principal and district superintendent.