Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Award Grant

Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Inc.
Amount: Up to US $2,000
Last Updated: July 24, 2025

Summary

The Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Award, administered by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, recognizes educators in select Mississippi counties for their innovative teaching projects. Grants of up to $2,000 are awarded to teachers who demonstrate creativity and leadership in enhancing student learning. Eligible applicants are public or private school educators in areas including Forrest, Hancock, and Harrison counties. This initiative aims to support impactful classroom projects that benefit students and improve teaching effectiveness.

Overview

Gulf Coast Community Foundation The Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) is dedicated to fostering charitable giving, empowering donors, and enhancing our community by facilitating investments in a diverse array of charitable causes. We serve a pivotal role in attracting, managing and distributing substantial charitable funds to enrich the lives of residents across George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties. Established in 1989 as a 501(c)(3) organization, GCCF has invested more than $110 million into South Mississippi, providing administrative services to more than 120 funds that support local grassroots organizations in achieving their charitable objectives. Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Grants Hancock Whitney is honored to recognize teachers who continuously develop innovative teaching solutions, demonstrate strong leadership skills, and are passionate about the role they play today, in developing tomorrow’s future leaders. Up to 10 grants of up to $2,000 each are awarded to outstanding educators in Forrest, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Pearl River counties who submit projects with an innovative approach to helping students learn. The projects should enhance the classroom or school while ultimately benefiting the students, school staff, or a teacher’s professional effectiveness.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Educators teaching in either public or private schools in Forrest, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Madison, and Pearl River counties are eligible to apply. Projects will be evaluated based on creativity, innovation, feasibility and potential impact.

Ineligibility

Awards are not intended for staff development or professional training. Awards will not be made for the primary purpose of purchasing computers, tablets or other technological devices. HOWEVER, technological devices that are utilized as part of a well-developed and comprehensive program will be considered for funding. Applicants must not have received funding within the past five years.