Grant applications fall into two categories:  

Strategic investment grants

Our Project Fund is used to award Strategic Investment Grants, in line with the strategic needs and priorities of the schools and the district overall.  We will aim to support initiatives across grade levels and subjects in five key areas: 

• 21st century classroom
• Expanding core curriculum
• After school enrichment
• College prep
• Selective professional development (in line with broader strategic initiatives) 

CEF's objective is to expand the types of projects we support as the opportunities become available.

The criteria that we use to evaluate each application include:  impact (breadth and depth), sustainability, and cost efficiency.  Going forward, we will focus on measuring, tracking and communicating the success and impact of each of our grants to ensure that we continue to fund high-value, high-return projects.

Teacher innovation grants 

The objective of CEF Teacher Innovation Grants is to encourage innovation and creativity in the classroom by providing teachers with the resources they need to turn a great idea into a reality. In essence, these grants are like "venture capital in the teaching world," providing critical seed money for teachers to try out new and innovative ideas that will enhance the learning experience of our students.  These grant idea should be programmatic in nature.  If successful, these projects and programs may then be folded into the on-going curriculum.

Grant funds are designed to cover costs including:  curriculum development (stipend for teacher time), materials, external speakers/consultants, and other expenses associated with developing and/or executing the program.  Budgeted costs may also include teacher time associated with any "teach-the-teacher" component to the initiative. 

Each year, a portion of the interest earned on CEF's endowment will be placed into the Teacher Innovation Fund.  Based on the strength of applications submitted, funds will be awarded to teachers – either individually or collaboratively -- to develop innovative projects/programs in and across their classrooms.  Our hope is to fund a diverse set of projects each year, spread across schools, grade levels and subjects.  We also encourage initiatives that are interdisciplinary in nature.