How many grants will you be providing?

Our intent is to award at least 15 grants in the Spring of 2023 to be used during the 2023 - 2024 school year. Grants range between $1,000 and $10,000.  (The foundation has awarded 83 grants and $381,000 in the last four years.)

Are the grants awarded to individuals or schools?

Although grants are awarded to a teacher or team of teachers, checks will be made out to your school or school district. Access to your funds will be through your school or school district’s bank account. (*Make sure you're allowed to access funds through these accounts.) The check will be mailed to the attention of the project lead. It is the lead persons responsibility to deposit it in the appropriate account.

What type of grant should I apply for?

The Academic Enrichment grant focuses on the academic needs and enrichment of students and can be awarded to an individual or team of teachers. Professional Learning grants focus on instructional practice and are awarded to teams of teachers only (grade level or subject team). 

How large of a grant should I apply for?

Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000. When considering your project think carefully about your "real" needs. Regardless of grant size, your request needs to show it's well thought out and you understand how to measure its impact. However, the larger the grant the more specific you'll need to be as to why your project requires the funding requested.   

If I were awarded a grant and chose to leave my current school would I still receive funding?

No, funding will only be provided to a teacher or teachers returning to their current school in the fall. Your project is built around your current students and we would not provide funding at a new school. (If a member of your team changes schools, considerations can be made.) In addition, if your teaching assignment changes from the time you received your grant and the start of your project, your grant could be denied (i.e. switching grades or academic subject). 

If I'm awarded a grant when do I have to use the funds?

Grants awarded in May of 2023 are to be used during the 2023 - 2024 school year. Preference is given to projects that begin in September 2023 (or just prior). Please be specific on the "timeline" you'll be using for your project.

What makes for a strong application?

We’re looking for educators who understand the social, emotional and academic challenges of their students. As well as their own professional learning needs. A key factor is your ability to define the issue, your response to that issue and how you’ll measure its effectiveness.

What does it mean to “work in collaboration with the Ellison Foundation and share your ideas with others”?

If you and/or your team receive an Ellison Education Grant, we'll maintain contact throughout the 2023 – 2024 school year. An in-person or virtual meeting (phone call) will be held three times during the school year – September, January, and May.

We request a two page “reflection paper” by June 16, 2024. The paper must summarize the issue you addressed, your response to that issue, and the impact your project had. Please know your reflection paper may be shared on our website.

Are there guidelines on budget items for the grant?

The Ellison Foundation allows the grant writer to provide rationale for fund allocation in their budget. Books, materials, art supplies, stipends, technology, etc., are all within the scope of allowable budget items. Travel expenses are often not funded but can be considered depending on the scope and purpose of the project. Stipends are considered but should not be the bulk of the budget. Fees for substitutes are also considered as a necessary expense.

What happens once I've submitted my application?

Once your application has been submitted you’ll receive a confirmation from the Ellison Foundation and your work is done. All applicants will be notified if they are moving forward as a finalist by March 31st 2023.

What happens if I'm chosen as a finalist?

If your proposal is chosen as a finalist, the Ellison Foundation will conduct an interview at the applicant(s) school. In addition, you will be emailed an Administrators/Principals recommendation to be filled out by your supervisor and returned prior to our visit. During our site visit we'd like to request a brief meeting with your principal or administrator as well.

Timeline

January 9 through March 25, 2023 - Applications are accepted between January 9 and March 25 2023; applications are not accepted before or after these dates.

March 31st 2023 – You will be notified if your application is selected as a finalist. If you are a finalist, you will be emailed an Administrators/Principals recommendation form to be filled out and returned prior to our visit.

April - May 2023 - If your proposal is chosen as a finalist, the Ellison Foundation will conduct a site visit interview with the applicant(s). We will also request a brief meeting with the applicant’s principal or administrator.

May 26, 2023 - All finalists will be notified if they’ve been selected as a grant recipient by May 26, 2023.

August 25, 2023 – A check will be mailed to the awardee's school no later than August 25 2023. It will be addressed to the project’s lead.  It is that persons responsibility to ensure funds are deposited in the appropriate bank account. Funds can easily be distributed before this date.