Funding Amount

$1,000 per honoree

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • All school personnel including teachers, administrators, and support staff
  • Minimum tenure requirement: 3+ years employed at a Signal Mountain school

Overview

Geographic Scope: Signal Mountain, Tennessee (Three schools: Nolan Elementary, Thrasher Elementary, Signal Mountain Middle School, Signal Mountain High School)

Award Type: Recognition and financial award for outstanding educators

Award Details:

  • Recipients: One educator honored from each of the four schools (4 total awards)
  • Monetary Award: $1,000 per recipient
    • $500 designated for classroom or school-related expenses
    • $500 for personal use
  • Recognition: Themed desktop trophy
  • Permanent Recognition: Perpetual plaque installed at each school to honor future winners

Eligible Personnel

  • All school personnel including teachers, administrators, and support staff
  • Minimum tenure requirement: 3+ years employed at a Signal Mountain school

Selection Criteria

Honorees selected based on demonstration of one or more of the following:

  • Innovation in the classroom
  • Passion and creativity
  • Outstanding commitment and leadership
  • Community collaboration and unity

Award Background:

  • Inaugural award held in 2025 (announced February 1, 2025 at Celebration for Education gala)
  • Inaugural award received 30+ nominations
  • Now an annual award with permanent plaques at each school

2025 Winners:

  • Tammy Burns – MEF-Funded Reading Interventionist at Thrasher Elementary
  • Jessica Matukewicz – 3rd Grade Teacher at Nolan Elementary
  • Allison Mulloy – Art Teacher at Signal Mountain Middle School
  • William Greer – German Teacher at Signal Mountain High School

Presentation: Awards presented by MEF Board Chair, each school's principal, and PTA/PTSA president

How to Apply

Nomination Process

The award operates through a nomination system rather than a direct application process.

Key Details:

  • Who can nominate: Community members (specific nomination process details not provided)
  • Eligibility: All school personnel employed at a Signal Mountain school for minimum 3 years
  • Selection: MEF selection committee reviews nominations and selects one winner from each school
  • Announcement: Winners announced annually at MEF's Celebration for Education gala event

Contact for More Information:
info@MEFtoday.org

What Mountain Education Foundation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
3
Total given
$618K
Median grant
$168K
Range
$125K–$324K
  • By dollars: Tennessee 100%. Top recipient cities: Signal Mountain, TN.

Example grants

  • HCDE Signal Mountain Middle High School · Signal Mountain, TN

    Education

    $324K

  • HCDE Nolan Elementary School · Signal Mountain, TN

    Education

    $168K

  • HCDE Thrasher Elementary School · Signal Mountain, TN

    Education

    $125K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Teachers
  • Teacher development
  • K-12 schools
  • Foundation

Categories

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