Challenge Grants
What if...?
How many times have you caught yourself wondering, “What if…?”
What if we stacked the blocks this way?
What if every student had their own calculator?
What if we used a touch screen for this project?
We want to hear your "What if…?" Whether it’s a bold, outside-the-box idea, or a simple spark that could make a real difference for our students - share it with us!
Big or small, your creativity could change lives.
About Challenge Grants
Challenge Grants are awarded every year to Maize USD 266 employees in order to enhance programs for student learning. In recent years, award recipients have brought inspiring speakers to our schools, introduced iPads for digital learning, added period-accurate costumes to history lessons, created calming spaces, and transformed outdoor areas into vibrant learning environments.
Challenge Grants aren't just for teachers! You might be a custodian, bus driver, counselor, para, or food service employee (just to name a few roles). As long as the proposal is for an educational project, something that helps our students learn, grow and prepare for success after Maize USD 266, we want to hear from you.
We encourage you to keep the Maize USD 266 Lead Forward Strategic Plan and your building's Wildly Important Goal(s) in mind while preparing your application.
Important Information
Please read each section carefully, as there are several changes to the Challenge Grant process for the 2025-2026 school year.