Resources

General Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications are welcome from:

• Individual Educators, including teachers, counselors, librarians, instructional coaches, instructional specialists, interventionists, diagnosticians, and other campus-based instructional staff.

• Teacher or Staff Teams collaborating on a shared project or initiative.

• Campus Leadership, including principals and assistant principals.

• District Leadership, including district directors, executive directors, coordinators, specialists, administrators, and cabinet-level leaders proposing initiatives that support multiple campuses or have a district-wide impact.

Applicants should submit proposals that align with their role and demonstrate how the project will positively impact students, staff, campuses, or the Prosper ISD community.

Can I apply for both programs?

Yes! Excellence & Innovation Grants and Spark Shop serve different purposes. If your requests meet the eligibility requirements for each program, you are welcome to apply to both. Each application will be reviewed independently.

Are grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis?

No. Applications are evaluated using established selection criteria and available funding. Submitting your application early does not guarantee funding. We encourage applicants to take the time to submit a thoughtful, complete application that clearly demonstrates need and anticipated impact.

Will everyone who applies receive funding?

Unfortunately, no. Both Excellence & Innovation Grants and Spark Shop are competitive funding opportunities with limited resources. Each year, we anticipate receiving more quality applications than available funding can support. Many deserving requests may not receive funding simply due to budget limitations.

How long does it take to complete an Excellence & Innovation Grant application?

Every great idea starts with thoughtful planning! While the online application typically takes 30–60 minutes to complete, the strongest applications are rarely completed in one sitting.

We encourage you to prepare before you begin by:

• Reviewing the application questions in advance.

• Identifying the need or opportunity your project will address.

• Thinking about how you will measure success.

• Discussing your idea with your campus administrator, department lead, or team members, if applicable.

• Planning for the required 2–3 minute video, which gives you the opportunity to share your passion and vision for your project.

Educational Excellence & Innovation Grants are competitive, and funding is limited. Take the time to develop a thoughtful proposal that clearly communicates your idea, anticipated impact, and implementation plan. A little preparation can go a long way!

Can I participate in more than one grant application?

Yes! Collaboration is encouraged, and educators may participate in multiple grant applications.

For example, you may:

• Submit an Individual Grant application while also serving as a team member on a Team, Campus, or District grant.

• Be listed as a collaborator on multiple applications.

However, to ensure grant opportunities are distributed as broadly as possible, an individual educator is eligible to receive funding for only one Individual Educational Excellence & Innovation Grant per school year.

Team, Campus, and District grant awards are considered separately and may include educators who are participating in other grant proposals.

What are reviewers looking for?

Applications are evaluated using a scoring rubric. While every request is unique, successful applications typically:

• Clearly identify a need or challenge.

• Explain how students, staff, or the campus will benefit.

• Demonstrate meaningful and measurable impact.

• Align with the purpose of the funding opportunity.

• Present a realistic plan for implementation.

• Include a compelling story that helps reviewers understand why this request matters.

Don't just tell us what you need—tell us why it matters.

Excellence & Innovation Grants

What are the application dates?

Applications Open: July 31, 2026

Application Deadline: October 9, 2026

Late applications cannot be accepted.

When will recipients be announced?

Recipients will be notified and celebrated in December 2026. Additional details regarding award celebrations and implementation will be shared with selected recipients.

What types of projects are funded?

Excellence & Innovation Grants support innovative ideas that go beyond the district's standard operating budget.

Examples may include:

• Innovative instructional practices

• Student engagement initiatives

• Cross-curricular learning experiences

• Campus collaboration projects

• Professional learning opportunities

• New programs or pilot initiatives

• Resources that create lasting impact for students

Projects should align with one or more of the four Excellence & Innovation Grant pillars.

How much funding is available?

Grant amounts may vary depending on the project, available funding, and committee recommendations. The committee may choose to fully fund, partially fund, or not fund a request.

What happens after I submit my application?

Once the application window closes:

1. Prosper Education Foundation and Prosper ISD complete an initial review.

2. Selected applications move to trained community volunteer reviewers.

3. The PEF Programs Committee conducts the final review and funding recommendations.

4. Grant recipients are surprised during Prize Patrol in December.

Will every application move to the review stage?

No. During the initial review, Prosper Education Foundation and Prosper ISD determine which applications best align with the grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and district priorities. Applicants whose proposals do not advance will receive an email with additional information.

How are applications scored?

Applications are reviewed using a standardized rubric that considers factors such as:

• Innovation

• Potential impact

• Alignment with Prosper ISD Strategic Priorities

• Implementation plan

• Budget and sustainability

• Measurable outcomes

PEF Spark Shop

What is Spark Shop?

Spark Shop provides quick-access classroom resources through thoughtfully curated resource bundles designed to support educators with immediate instructional and classroom needs. Most awards will be fulfilled using pre-designed bundles created by Prosper Education Foundation in partnership with Prosper ISD.

When is Spark Shop open?

Applications open September 8, 2026.

Spark Shop will remain open through February 2027, or until available funding has been awarded.

How are Spark Shop applications reviewed?

Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis throughout the school year. A limited number of awards will be made during each review cycle based on available funding. Receiving an award in one month does not guarantee future funding, and not every request can be approved.

This is the first year of Spark Shop. What should I know?

The 2026–2027 school year is the inaugural year of Spark Shop. As we launch this new initiative, we will continue learning from educator feedback, application trends, and program participation. Guidelines, available bundles, timelines, and processes may evolve in future years to better serve Prosper ISD educators. We appreciate your flexibility as we grow this exciting new opportunity together.

Can I request something outside of the available bundles?

Yes. While Spark Shop is designed around pre-selected resource bundles, custom requests may be considered when they demonstrate a significant instructional need and align with Prosper ISD purchasing guidelines and available funding. Approval of custom requests cannot be guaranteed.

Can I receive more than one Spark Shop award during the school year?

At this time, educators are limited to one Spark Shop award per school year.

As Spark Shop launches in its inaugural year, this guideline helps ensure we can provide resources to as many Prosper ISD educators as possible while funding remains available.

We encourage you to carefully consider your greatest classroom need when applying. As the program grows, this guideline may be reviewed and adjusted based on available funding, participation, and program evaluation.

How long does it take to complete a Spark Shop application?

Spark Shop is designed to be a streamlined application for educators with immediate classroom or campus resource needs. Most applicants can complete the application in 20–45 minutes, depending on how prepared they are before they begin.

To make the process even easier, we recommend that you:

• Review the application questions before you begin.

• Identify the bundle or resources that best meet your needs.

• Think about how the requested resources will support students, staff, or your campus.

• Be prepared to explain the impact the resources will have on teaching and learning.

While the application is shorter than the Educational Excellence & Innovation Grant application, Spark Shop is still a competitive funding opportunity. Funding is limited, and applications are not automatically approved. Taking a few extra minutes to clearly explain your need and anticipated impact will help strengthen your application.

Is Spark Shop competitive?

Yes. Although the application is shorter and designed for quick-access resources, Spark Shop is a competitive funding opportunity.

Applications are reviewed by the Prosper Education Foundation Programs Committee at the end of each month throughout the program cycle. Awards are based on:

• Demonstrated need

• Potential impact on students, staff, or campuses

• Alignment with the purpose of the requested bundle

• Overall strength of the application

• Available funding

Because funding is limited, not every application will receive an award. We encourage applicants to thoughtfully explain how the requested resources will make a meaningful difference and support teaching and learning.

As this is the inaugural year of Spark Shop, we anticipate a high level of interest and demand from educators across Prosper ISD. The Prosper Education Foundation is committed to growing this program over time and will continuously evaluate participation, funding levels, and campus needs as we plan for future years. Our goal is to expand opportunities as resources become available so we can support even more educators and students in the years ahead.

What if I don't receive a Spark Shop award?

Because Spark Shop funding is limited, not every application can be funded. If your application is not selected during one monthly review cycle, you may be eligible to revise and resubmit your request in a future monthly review, provided funding is still available and the program remains open.

We encourage applicants to use committee feedback, when available, to strengthen future submissions. Educators with larger-scale or more innovative ideas may also wish to explore the Prosper Education Foundation Educational Excellence & Innovation Grants, which provide additional funding opportunities for projects with broader impact.

As Spark Shop continues to grow, the Prosper Education Foundation will regularly evaluate educator participation, funding availability, and program outcomes to identify opportunities for future expansion. Our goal is to build a sustainable program that provides meaningful support to as many Prosper ISD educators as possible.

Funding & Awards for Excellence & Innovation

What happens after I submit my application?

Every application is carefully reviewed through a multi-step process designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and thoughtful consideration.

Step 1: Eligibility & District Review
Applications are first reviewed by the Prosper ISD Teaching & Learning Team to verify eligibility, ensure alignment with district priorities, and confirm that requests comply with district guidelines and purchasing requirements.

Step 2: Community Review
Eligible applications are then evaluated by a committee of community volunteers using a standardized scoring rubric. Reviewers consider several factors, including:

• Demonstrated need

• Anticipated student and campus impact

• Innovation and creativity

• Alignment with program goals

• Feasibility and sustainability

• Overall quality of the application

Step 3: Foundation Review & Funding Recommendations
The Prosper Education Foundation Programs Committee reviews the committee scores, feedback, and available funding before making final funding recommendations to the Prosper Education Foundation Board of Directors for approval.

Step 4: Notification
Applicants will be notified according to the published timeline for each program. Selected recipients will receive additional information regarding purchasing, implementation, and recognition opportunities. Because funding is limited, not every worthy application can be funded. We encourage applicants to clearly communicate their why, the need they are addressing, and the meaningful impact their project or request will have on students, staff, and the Prosper ISD community.

What if my application is not selected?

We encourage you to apply again in future funding cycles. Each year, we anticipate receiving more quality applications than available funding can support. Many outstanding ideas may not receive funding simply because of budget limitations—not because they lack value or merit. Previous funding decisions do not impact future opportunities, and we welcome new and returning applicants each year.

Can I submit more than one application?

Yes. You may submit more than one application, provided each proposal represents a unique project or need and meets the eligibility requirements of the Educational Excellence & Innovation Grants program. Each application will be reviewed independently. However, an individual educator may receive funding for only one Individual Educational Excellence & Innovation Grant per school year. Educators are welcome to collaborate on Team, Campus, or District grant applications, which are reviewed separately.

Our Commitment to a Fair Review Process

The Prosper Education Foundation is committed to providing a fair, transparent, and consistent review process for every application. Each request is evaluated using established criteria by multiple reviewers to ensure thoughtful consideration and responsible stewardship of donor funds.

Our goal is to invest in projects and resources that create meaningful opportunities for students, support Prosper ISD educators, and align with the mission of the Prosper Education Foundation. While we know many deserving ideas may not receive funding due to limited resources, every application is valued, carefully reviewed, and genuinely appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to share your vision with us. We are honored to partner with educators who inspire innovation, foster excellence, and make a lasting impact in the lives of Prosper ISD students.

Purchasing & Eligibility

What Types of Items Are Not Eligible for Funding?

To ensure compliance with Prosper ISD guidelines, local Board policy, and Prosper Education Foundation funding priorities, the following items are not eligible for Excellence & Innovation Grant funding:

• Library books

• Educational technology tools or devices requiring district approval

• Instructional materials subject to the district curriculum adoption or approval process

• Subscription-based products or services

• Furniture

• Food, beverages, or refreshments

• Gift cards or incentives

• Personal memberships or professional dues

• Items already provided through district funding or existing campus budgets

• Equipment or materials that do not directly support student learning or educator innovation

• Requests that do not align with Prosper ISD purchasing guidelines or local Board policy

If you are unsure whether your request is eligible, we encourage you to contact the Prosper Education Foundation before submitting your application.

Why Are Some Items Not Eligible?

The Prosper Education Foundation is committed to maximizing donor investments by funding innovative projects and experiences that directly enhance teaching, learning, and student success.

To ensure responsible stewardship of donor funds, all grant requests must comply with Prosper ISD purchasing guidelines, local Board policy, and nonprofit funding best practices. Some items require separate district review and approval processes or are already supported through district funding and therefore cannot be funded through the Excellence & Innovation Grant program.

Our goal is to invest in creative, impactful ideas that provide meaningful opportunities beyond the district's standard instructional resources while ensuring equitable access and long-term benefit for Prosper ISD students and staff.

Application Tips 

• Start early and don't wait until the deadline.

• Clearly explain the need your project addresses.

• Show how your idea is innovative and impactful.

• Include measurable outcomes and a realistic implementation plan.

• Make sure your budget directly supports your proposal.

• Proofread your application before submitting.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help! If you're unsure which opportunity is the best fit or have questions before applying, please contact the Prosper Education Foundation. We'd be happy to help you determine the best pathway for your idea. Email us at info@prosperef.org or give us a call at 469.208.7075. 

We're committed to continuous improvement. Just like the educators we serve, we're always learning and growing. If you notice an error, missing information, or something that could be improved, please reach out to Dr. Carrie Williamson at ed@prosperef.org. Thank you for helping us make this resource even better!