Who can submit a grant application?

All employees of the Springfield Local School District are eligible to submit grant applications.  Equipment and materials purchased with Foundation funds become the property of the District.

When are the grant deadlines?  

Applications are considered twice during each school year.  Fall applications are due on October 15 for grants to be awarded November 1.  Spring applications are due March 15 for grants to be awarded April 1.      

What are the grant criteria?

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must propose an innovative and creative project that will enrich and enhance student learning beyond the scope of normal required school expenditures and the required course of study.   A rubric describing the criteria used by the Committee to evaluate grants is available on the Foundation’s website at  

What is the review process?

All applications that are received by the deadline are distributed to members of the Foundations Classroom Grant Committee.  Committee members use a rubric (available on the Foundation’s website) to score each application.  The Committee then meets to discuss the applications and decide which ones it will recommend for funding.  The entire Board for the Foundation votes on those recommendations. 

Can I submit more than one application per term?

Teachers can submit as many applications as they like but the Foundation will not award more than one grant to any individual or team within a given school year.    

Can I resubmit if denied in one term?

Absolutely.  The Foundation is unable to fund every worthy project.  In some cases, the Committee may direct teachers to other funding sources.  In other cases, the Committee can make recommendations about how a proposal can be strengthened so that it is more likely to be funded in the future. 

Can I work with another teacher or school?

Collaboration is encouraged.  The Foundation is interested in projects that will have the greatest effect on students.  Working with another teacher or another school is one way to extend the impact of your ideas. 

What if I have a project that will cost more than $1500? 

The Foundation now has a special committee that develops grant proposals and submits them to outside funding agencies.  The Grants Committee has been successful in bringing in funds to support the Weatherbug Project at Holloway School, the Reading Basket program in all four elementary schools, the Grove Restoration Project and the Glass Arts Program.  In addition, the Foundation’s business committee is working with local companies to find sponsors for projects.   Any project requesting more than $1500 will automatically be referred to the Grants and/or Business Committee for consideration.

What kinds of things does the Foundation fund?

The Foundation will give consideration to any project that enriches and extends the learning of Springfield students.  In the past, funds have purchased books, games, robots, equipment, field trips, speakers, costumes and other items.  We want to encourage teachers to think outside the box and develop projects so unique and original that they cannot be funded through the usual channels.   

What kind of technology will the Foundation fund? 

The Foundation is eager to fund software and supplemental technology including hand-held devices, media production devices and other learning tools.  For the most part, the Foundation is unable to fund computers (including laptops) unless they are integrated into a project that the Committee regards as unusually innovative and beneficial to students.   All requests for technology will be reviewed by the District’s Technology Coordinator to be sure they are compatible with District specifications.

What isn’t funded by grants?

Springfield Foundation will not provide grants to cover basic supplies which would ordinarily be part of the School District’s budget.  In addition, Foundation grants cannot be used for teacher salaries, stipends, food, decorations or prizes.