Grants
2026 Foundation Grant Application for Innovative Classroom/School Projects
Applications Deadline: June 19, 2026
2026 Grant Application
- Timeline
- Guidelines
- Preparing the Application
- Grant Narrative
- Education Foundation Grant Application Rubric
Timeline
Guidelines
Overview
Projects must enhance student learning and align with district goals. Funding does not cover basic supplies, food/refreshments, salaries, scholarships, debt reduction, or routine expenses.
Promotional items (e.g., t-shirts) may be included only as a minor part of a program, not as the main focus. Foundation branding should be included when applicable.
Applications must be complete, rubric-aligned, and submitted only by Forsyth County Schools employees. Projects may be resubmitted if revised and may be funded up to three times. The maximum request is $5,000 per application.
The Details
- The Foundation funds projects to directly enhance student learning that are innovative, creative, and/or extend the scope of typical school activities.
- The Foundation grants do not fund basic school supplies, food and/or refreshments, debt reduction, college scholarships, recognition for parents, salaries, or routine purchases that would typically be made by the school or school district.
- T-shirts/promotional items can be included in a grant request if they are part of the request as a reward/part of the program, but they should not be the entire ask, and you are encouraged to utilize other funding sources as well. If you ask for those items, please detail exactly why and how they are a beneficial part of your program. When possible, these items should have the Foundation logo included as well.
- Applications must align with the School Improvement Goals and/or Forsyth County Schools’ Learner Profile.
- Each application must include detailed answers to all components of each question and align with the rubric for it to be reviewed by the committee. Partial applications will not be judged. The application can be edited before submitting, and make sure the focus is the school.
- Applicant(s) must be employed by Forsyth County Schools at the time the grant is awarded.
- Applications may be submitted for a project that was submitted in the 2025 grant process, but the application should be updated and revised.
- A school can only win a grant for the same project three times.
- Due to the number of requests received, the maximum amount requested per application is $5,000.
- The amount awarded is to the discretion of the Foundation governing board. There is a chance that the school might not receive the entire amount requested.
- If a principal has more than one project from his/her school that fits the criteria for these grants, schools/departments may submit more than one grant application. However, each school may submit a maximum of two grant applications. All must be read, thoroughly reviewed, and approved by the principal/supervisor.
- Submit your application using the form linked above. Only information in the form will be scored.
Preparing the Application
- Project Title
- Expected Number of Students Served by Project
- Amount of Funding Requested
- Category of Project (Literacy, STEM, PBIS, etc.)
- Need Rationale
- Anticipated Outcomes
- Alignment to School Improvement Goals and Learner Profile
- Budget
- Promotion/Sustainability
- Name of (Lead) Applicant for Grant
- Applicant’s School or Department
- Applicant’s Position (Title and/or Grade Level Taught)
- Applicant’s Email
- Name, Position, and School or Department of Additional Applicants
Grant Narrative
- Project Overview (20 Points - 500 Word Limit)
Describe the project you will develop/construct/conduct. - Need (20 Points - 500 Word Limit)
Explain the compelling need for this project. Include the target audiences (subject, grade, school(s), number of students, etc.) and detail the project’s direct impact on them. - Anticipated Outcomes (20 Points)
Give details for this project that align with five anticipated outcomes, a detailed timeline with dates, and your outcomes bulleted with specific methods of evaluation. - Alignment (15 points)
List top five specific details as to how the project aligns to your School Improvement Goals and/or Forsyth County Schools’ Learner Profile. - Budget (15 Points)
In this section, please list a.) the supplies needed for the project, b.) a brief description of their purpose, c.) cost, and d.) vendor. - Promotion/Sustainability (10 Points - 250 Word Limit)
Explain in detail how a.) the project and the Forsyth County Education Foundation/the #FoundationFriYAY will be publicized and promoted (examples from prior grants included signage at the project, social media posts, and articles newsletters), and b.) this project would be repeated and/or sustained in subsequent years.
Education Foundation Grant Application Rubric
|
Criteria |
Exemplary |
Proficient |
Developing |
Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Project Overview (20 pts.) |
Clearly and thoroughly describes the proposed project, including purpose, activities, implementation, and intended impact. Writing is detailed, organized, and within the 500-word limit. (18-20 pts.) |
Describes the project clearly with adequate detail and organization. Minor details may be missing. Within the word limit. (14-17 pts.) |
Project description is somewhat unclear, lacks important details, or organization is limited. (10-13 pts.) |
Project overview is incomplete, vague, or difficult to understand. (0-9 pts.) |
|
Need (20 pts.) |
Provides compelling evidence of need with clear explanation of target audience (subject, grade, school(s), number of students, etc.). Demonstrates strong understanding of project impact on students and stakeholders. (18-20 pts.) |
Explains project need and identifies target audience with reasonable detail. Impact is evident. (14-17 pts.) |
Some explanation of need is provided but supporting details or impact are limited. (10-13 pts.) |
Need is unclear or unsupported. Target audience and impact are minimally addressed or missing. (0-9 pts.) |
|
Anticipated Outcomes (20 pts.) |
Includes five clearly defined anticipated outcomes aligned to the project. Timeline is detailed with specific dates. Evaluation methods are measurable, specific, and aligned to outcomes. (18-20 pts.) |
Includes outcomes and a timeline with evaluation methods. Most outcomes are measurable and connected to the project. (14-17 pts.) |
Outcomes, timeline, or evaluation methods lack clarity or specificity. Some alignment is missing. (10-13 pts.) |
Outcomes and/or evaluation methods are incomplete, vague, or missing. Timeline is insufficient. (0-9 pts.) |
|
Alignment (15 pts.) |
Clearly identifies strong connections to School Improvement Goals and/or the Forsyth County Schools Learner Profile. Alignment is specific and well explained. (13-15 pts.) |
Identifies alignment to goals/profile with adequate explanation and relevance. (10-12 pts.) |
Alignment is somewhat general or lacks sufficient detail and specificity. (6-9 pts.) |
Minimal or unclear alignment to School Improvement Goals or Learner Profile. (0-5 pts.) |
|
Budget (15 pts.) |
Budget is complete, accurate, and detailed, including supplies, purpose, cost, and vendor. Expenses clearly support project goals. (13-15 pts.) |
Budget includes required components with only minor omissions or inconsistencies. (10-12 pts.) |
Budget is partially complete or lacks clarity/detail in some areas. (6-9 pts.) |
Budget is incomplete, inaccurate, or poorly connected to the project. (0-5 pts.) |
|
Promotion/ Sustainability (10 pts.) |
Thoroughly explains how the project and the Forsyth County Education Foundation / #FoundationFriYAY will be promoted. Provides strong, realistic sustainability plans for future years. Within the 250-word limit. (9-10 pts.) |
Describes promotion and sustainability plans with adequate detail. Within the word limit. (7-8 pts.) |
Promotion and/or sustainability plans are somewhat unclear or lack detail. (4-6 pts.) |
Promotion and sustainability plans are minimal, unrealistic, or missing. (0-3 pts.) |