Challenge Grants

Dream Big!

What if...?

How many times have you asked that question? What if…you stack the block like this? Or you’ve said to a coworker, “What if…we could create a classroom…but it’s also a working farm?

Give us your What if…? It can be a huge and seemingly crazy idea, or it can be super simple. What will make the difference in the lives of our students? And don’t be afraid - we are here to talk through ideas with you. Big or small, we want to hear your ideas!

Keep reading below to learn more about our Challenge Grant program and how to begin.

Questions?

Please contact Emi Simmons,
Director of Community Relations and Maize Education Foundation
esimmons@usd266.com
316-350-2029

The application for the 2024-2025 grant cycle has closed.

Not just for teachers!

You might be a custodian, a bus driver, a counselor, a para or a 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!

For instance, perhaps a team of our Food Service staff members have an idea for kick-starting a district-wide composting program. Or, maybe the Transportation Department has an idea to implement a leadership program that encourages student bus riders to "lead from within." There are lots of possibilities!

MVPS student holds supplies to care for poison dart frogs

Drawers of mental health aid supplies purchased with a $500 Student Enrichment Grant

USD 266 student in front of the Abraham Lincoln Statue in Washington, D.C.

Four Types of Grants

Project-Based Learning

These grants provide funding for projects and programs that create learning opportunities and environments for students to learn through hands-on exploration, teamwork, and problem solving.

Funds may be allocated for educational resources, laboratory equipment, math and science software, robotics supplies, kits, and other materials as well as startup costs for ongoing experiential learning programs.

Instructional

These grants provide funding for projects and programs that elevate the student learning experience by enhancing access to new resources, new instructional strategies, or new technology.

Funds may be allocated for educational resources, equipment, instruments, technology, and other materials that provide new student opportunities for learning and expanding their understanding of various content areas.

Social Emotional

These grants provide funding for programs and projects that encourage the creation of safe and equitable learning environments as well as those that promote student success skills and civic/community engagement.

Projects should include opportunities for students to learn belonging, tolerance, compassion, listening, non-violence, inclusiveness, and those that promote well-being, working productively together, restoring relationships, and repairing harm.

Funds may be allocated for educational resources, trauma and sensory tools and training, and student workshops and a variety of other tools, materials, and resources.

Professional Learning

These grants provide funding for special activities and projects directly related to improving instruction, leadership, program development, and curriculum.

Funds may be allocated for released time, conference registration fees, educational resources, speaker fees, and travel that may be necessary in support of activities undertaken to improve individual instructional strategies, departmental instruction, leadership, and program or curriculum development.

Grants are intended to support the development of new and innovative approaches that will stimulate staff to develop new teaching methods and curricula, and engage students in new and innovative ways.

Submit Your Abstract

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