Teacher Grants

Geographic Scope: Sherwood School District, Oregon

Program Description: The primary program of the Sherwood Education Foundation. For over 20 years, SEF has provided teacher grants to Sherwood teachers, allowing them the opportunity to innovate and obtain resources needed to expand offerings and services for students.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be teachers or staff in the Sherwood School District
• Each grant application must have a project coordinator
• Project coordinators may submit multiple grant applications per school year

Award Details:

• Average Award: $2,700
• Minimum Request: SEF prefers requests under $250 are funded through other sources (i.e., school PACs)
• Book Grants Cap: $500 per classroom
• Full or partial funding may be awarded if selected

Grant Criteria - Projects should:

• Supplement and enhance the adopted district curriculum on current standards
• Be innovative and engaging for students
• Have clear and concise objectives with a solid, workable implementation plan
• Include tangible strategies for evaluating impact
• Have a reasonable and sustainable budget
• Positively impact a wide range of students
• Support an inclusive learning environment and strive to remove barriers to equitable student outcomes

Additional Requirements:

• If additional project funding is available, disclosure of source and amount is required, as well as any future fundraising plans
• Project must not be associated with a sport, club, or activity supported by a Booster or affiliated funding program
• SEF limits recurring grant requests
• Awarded funds must be used as specified in the application
• If grant funds over $10 are not utilized, the balance must be returned to the foundation within the calendar year the grant was issued
• Approved grantees must complete a brief final report once the project is complete and submit photos for social media purposes

What SEF Does Not Fund:

• Staff salaries or consultant fees
• Additional or new curriculum requests (should be directed to school district curriculum directors)
• Projects associated with sports, clubs, or activities supported by Boosters or affiliated funding programs

Application Timeline:

• Grant applications are submitted to the SEF Board of Directors
• Decisions will be made approximately within one month after the deadline for applications
• All applicants will receive a confirmation email that the application submission was received

Past Grant Examples:

• Oregon Battle of the Books
• Dulcimers for music class
• Wood shop equipment
• 3D Printer

Application Process

Submission Requirements:

• Submit grant application to SEF (format to be specified on application portal)
• All applicants will receive a confirmation email when submission is received

Required Application Elements:

1. Project coordinator designation (must be a teacher or staff member in Sherwood School District)
2. Project proposal detailing:
   • Educational goals
   • Expected number of students served
3. Clear and concise objectives
4. Solid, workable implementation plan
5. Tangible strategies for evaluating impact
6. Reasonable and sustainable budget
7. Disclosure of any additional project funding sources and amounts
8. Any future fundraising plans (if applicable)

Post-Award Requirements:

• Complete a brief final report once the project is complete
• Take photos throughout project duration and share with SEF for social media purposes

Timeline:

• Decisions made approximately within one month after the application deadline