In high-need schools, like Palm Springs Unified, teachers spend nearly $700 out of their own pockets to self-fund initiatives. Microgrants help give students the skills they need to get 21st-century jobs and the analytic and creative capacity to succeed in classrooms and life beyond – as well as the incentive to keep them in school.
The Foundation awards classroom grants from $500 - $2500 to select PSUSD district teachers and administrators who propose creative ideas to advance education and breakthrough projects that prepare our students for the future. Teachers can apply for individual grants or larger collaborative grants in the arts, technology, and other areas.
Microgrants have achieved great things! Technology know-how has been vastly improved with 3D printers, digital imaging laptops, science experiment labs, computer coding lessons, and robotics. Creative capacity and critical thinking have been boosted with hands-on equipment for theatre, music, and fine arts. Museum field trips have deepened human understanding and empathy.
This year, grant applications have been increasingly for literacy projects. The pandemic has smacked American students back to the last century in math and reading achievement. In national reading assessments, one third of 4th and 8th grade students can’t read at even the “basic” achievement level—the lowest level on the test; the rest are performing on par with students from the 1990s. We need students to catch up on this vital life skill, and teachers are making a plea for innovative literacy programs.
2024-2025 Classroom Grants
Application Closes on Friday, September 6, 2024
Classroom Grants will be reviewed by the Classroom Grant Committee in September/October, an email notification informing applicants if their grant has been funded or not will be emailed the last week of October 2024.
Classroom Microgrants are to support projects in the areas of academics, arts health & well being, and technology.
Grant proposals must be related to student learning and participation to enhance instruction.
School Site Grants are to support projects in the areas of academics, arts health & well being, and technology.
Grant proposals must be related to student learning and participation to enhance instruction.
Collaborative Grants are to support projects in the areas of academics, arts health & well being, and technology.
Grant proposals must be related to student learning and participation to enhance instruction.
Grant monies can be used for,
but are not limited to:
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Honorariums
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Expenses for attendance at teacher development workshops in the areas of academics, arts, health & well being, and technology.
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Equipment to support instruction in academics, arts, health & well being, and technology.
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Materials to implement student activities related to academics, arts, health & well being, and technology.
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Grant requests for furniture will no be approved, this includes flexible seating for classrooms.
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80% of Field Trip Funding must be provided by grant requester, RAP Foundation grant request should not exceed $500 o Example: Field Trip Cost $2,500.00, you must fund 80% which equals $2000.00
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Provide documentation of all field trip sponsorship funds including school site/district support (Excluding RAP Foundation)
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Approval of Field Trip by School Site Principal.
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Acquire Liability Insurance.
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Field Trip must be educational in connection with courses of instruction or school related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state or out of state.
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One request per: Instructor / School Site / Fiscal Year
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Volunteers participating in Field Trip should have completed a background check/Live Scan
See first hand how your support transforms learning, by watching the video submitted by Dr. Pamela Cole, Teacher at Nellie Coffman Middle School.