Mini-Grants

🎯 Eastwood Educational Foundation Mini-Grant Program Objectives

Spark Innovation: Encourage educators to pilot new, creative teaching methods and technologies.
Remove Financial Barriers: Fund specific classroom resources that school budgets cannot cover.
Boost Student Engagement: Foster experiential, hands-on learning that tangibly improves academic outcomes and real-life skill development.
The Eagle Way: Do what is right. Do the best you can. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

👤 Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Full-time teachers, school administrators, and specialized district personnel (e.g., counselors, librarians).
There is no "eligibility" to apply. Student committees, youth-serving nonprofits, or parent-teacher organizations (if tied to an educational mission) may also apply, It is the job of ELSD and EEF to do what is possible in helping those stretching their level of care by providing support where possible.
Awardees are usually required to submit a brief end-of-project report detailing how the money was spent, the number of students impacted, and the overall outcomes of the initiative.

💸 Funding

Mini-Grant Fund is EEF-owned dollars Just like a traditional scholarship fund, we invest the Mini-Grant monies in the same large pool of funds as the traditional scholarships. We determine the annual payout in the exact same methodology as well! We work with the Eastwood Local Schools Treasurer, Superintendent, and others to review applications to ensure if there are any requests which law requires the school district to fund. We also seek funding from Eastwood Local Schools when we are unable to fund programs which provide value to our students. Together, ELSD and EEF work to find funding for our educators. Approved payouts are provided to ELSD to ensure they attributed toward the approved programs.

💡 Eligible & Ineligible Expenses

Eligible Examples:

Specialized classroom supplies (e.g., robotic kits, cultural books, 3-D printing materials).
Virtual or in-person field trips and guest speaker fees.
Curriculum enhancements and supplemental software or media.
Concerts, speakers, clothing, spirit-enrichment, counseling and other programs have also been acceptable

😕Ineligible Examples:

Standard textbooks and basic operational supplies that the school is legally required to provide.
Teacher pay or salary supplements.
Annual/ongoing operational costs or multi-year program commitments.

📅 Application & Review Process

The Mini-Grant Programs operates on an annual rolling cycle
Applications are due from Educators / Program Directors in May
Applications are assessed by the EEF Mini-Grant chair and reviewed with ELSD Treasurer for eligibility and funding.
Favor is given to programs based on their innovation, number of impacted students and alignment with district curriculum standards.
A proposal is brought forth to the EEF Trustees for vote. Any exceptions, concerns, and standards which might compromise the EEF standards are discussed.
The trustees vote to approve the final Mini-Grant proposal.
Educators are informed and students are awarded with enrichment beyond the required minimum standards.