Grants

EEF Grant Program: Overview, Criteria, & Application Process

About the EEF Grant Program

The Education Enrichment Foundation of Scotch Plains-Fanwood (EEF) is dedicated to advancing educational excellence across district schools. Through annual grants, EEF supports innovative, progressive, and enriching initiatives that enhance students’ academic experiences.

EEF funds equipment, technology, programs, and staff development projects that fall outside district budget limitations. All grant applications must support the goals of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education and are evaluated using our Grant Evaluation Rubric with the following Grant Evaluation core criteria:

Innovation & Creativity

The project should distinguish itself from others by being original, innovative, and creative. It should demonstrate a new way of thinking, address a current or emerging need, and enrich the learning experience of students.

Student Impact Learning

The project should profoundly enhance student learning by fostering deeper understanding, critical thinking, and active engagement. It should provide meaningful, lasting educational value that supports students’ academic growth and personal development, helping them build essential skills for success both in and out of the classroom.

Assessment

The project should include a clearly outlined plan for documenting and/or evaluating its success. This plan should detail how outcomes will be measured, what tools or methods will be used to gather feedback and data, and how the results will be analyzed.

Sustainability

The project will be assessed on its repeatability, meaning its potential to be successfully replicated in other classrooms, grade levels, or schools within the district.

Budget

The project will be evaluated on whether the budget is appropriate and aligned with the scope of the project. A strong proposal will include a clear, itemized budget that reflects thoughtful planning and responsible use of funds. The expenses should directly support the project’s goals and activities, and the overall cost should be reasonable given the anticipated impact.

Grant Cycle

The EEF offers ONE grant cycle each year.

Application Window: December through late January
2026–2027 Deadline: February 1, 2026
Award Notifications: Before the end of the school year
Funds Available: For use in the following school year
Grant Awards Celebration: Date to be announced

Who May Apply

All Scotch Plains-Fanwood educators are encouraged to submit proposals. District administrators, teachers, staff members, individuals, and student/teacher joint proposals are welcome to apply. Collaboration across schools, grade levels, and departments is strongly encouraged. Projects must be planned for the upcoming school year, not the current one.

What EEF Will Consider Funding

Innovative, creative teaching and learning approaches
Enhancements to academic programs, curriculum, counseling, or guidance
Projects that enrich—but do not replace—existing curriculum
Initiatives aligned with Board of Education goals and supported by supervisors
Programs impacting a broad number of students with sustainable benefits
New or experimental instructional methods
Projects with measurable outcomes that allow for evaluation and possible replication
One-year projects (multi-year projects require reapplication each year)

What EEF Will Not Fund

Projects without Board of Education approval
Initiatives substituting for district-funded programs
Curricular materials needing formal BOE adoption (e.g., classroom textbook sets)
Teacher stipends exceeding standard BOE rates
Substitute teachers, food, travel, or consumable supplies
Undefined or non-itemized expenses

Grant Application and Review Process

Step 1 – Submit Application

Applicants complete and submit the SPF Educator Grant Application by the annual deadline.

Step 2 – Review & Assessment

The EEF Board of Trustees reviews all submissions alongside the Superintendent and/or Assistant Superintendent, using a standardized Grant Assessment Rubric.

Step 3 – Board Vote & Approval

The Board votes on recommended proposals. Approved grants are forwarded to the Superintendent for final funding approval.

Step 4 – Notification & Fulfillment

Applicants are notified of award decisions. Once approved, the fulfillment process begins to ensure materials, technology, or program components are ready for the next school year.

Step 5 – Grant Awards Celebration

All selected grant recipients are invited to attend an EEF Grant Awards Celebration.

Grant Award Terms

Award amounts cannot be increased after approval.
Applicants must include all anticipated costs (e.g., shipping, storage, warranties).
All purchased materials become property of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools.
Funds must be used within 18 months of award date; extensions require written request.

Recipient Requirements

Grant recipients agree to:

Share project outcomes with relevant district staff.
Accommodate reasonable requests from EEF to observe the project in action.
Submit a Grant Close Out Form within 30 days of completion or by September 1 of the following year.

Grant Publicity

Recipients must be available to support district and community publicity efforts. In presentations or written materials, include:

“This project/opportunity is made possible (in whole or in part) by a grant from the Education Enrichment Foundation of Scotch Plains-Fanwood.”

Duration and Renewals

Funds must be spent within 18 months; unused funds revert to EEF if a project is canceled or significantly altered.
Repeat funding is not guaranteed.
Updated, improved proposals for successful past projects may be considered for continued support.

Previous grant awards have ranged from $150 to $4,200. More than one grant may be awarded. Here is our most recent list of grants awarded.

All grants are co-funded by the EEF and the Currie/Vagelos Fund.

GRANT APPLICATION FORM

GRANT EVALUATION RUBRIC

GRANT CLOSE OUT FORM

EMAIL US

EEF Grant Program FAQ's

1. What types of projects does the EEF typically fund?

EEF supports teacher-driven projects that enhance the learning experience, introduce innovative instructional approaches, or create new opportunities for student engagement.

Examples include:

Hands-on STEM materials
Literacy interventions
Arts, music, and creative enrichment
Social-emotional learning initiatives
Technology that enhances instruction
Outdoor, environmental, or wellness-based learning programs

If a project meaningfully impacts students beyond the regular classroom budget, it’s worth submitting.

2. How are grant applications evaluated and selected?

Grants are evaluated using our Grant Evaluation Rubric.

3. What makes a strong application?

High-quality proposals typically include:

A clear problem or opportunity statement (“What challenge are you solving?”)
Specific student outcomes (“What will students be able to do or experience because of this grant?”)
A thoughtful, realistic budget
Evidence of planning—research on vendors, costs, and logistics
Alignment with curriculum, standards, or school initiatives
A compelling narrative explaining why this project matters for your students

Applications often stand out when teachers share a brief anecdote or concrete example illustrating student need.

4. What projects are less likely to be funded?

EEF tries to stretch donor dollars and prioritize innovation, so proposals are less likely to be funded if they include:

Standard classroom supplies typically covered by the district’s operational budget.
Furniture or large capital purchases.
Single-use consumables with minimal long-term benefit.
Projects with unclear objectives or thin student impact.
Items without a clear plan for implementation.

If you’re unsure, communicate with your principal to help shape the idea before you submit.

5. Where can teachers find inspiration for project ideas?

Great sources of inspiration include:

Your own classroom observations (“I wish we had…” ideas)
Student challenges, interests, or feedback
Conversations with your principal and colleagues
Past EEF-funded projects featured on the EEF website
State and national teacher innovation programs
Local community partners who may spark creative collaborations

If you see an excellent idea elsewhere, adapt it—EEF encourages creativity and cross-pollination.

6. How much funding can I request?

Previous grant awards have ranged from $150 to $4,200 with most awards falling between $500 and $1,000.

Larger requests may be considered if the project offers significant student impact and a well-justified budget.

7. Can teachers apply as a team or department?

Absolutely. Team-based/department are encouraged. Grade-level teams, departments, or multi-school collaborations often create broader and more meaningful student impact.

Be sure to clearly define:

Who is involved
How many students the project will support
The shared goals

Collaborative grants often score highly due to their scale and alignment.

8. Are student and teacher partnerships encouraged?

Yes! Projects that involve student participation, student voice, or student co-creation with teachers are highly encouraged.
Examples include clubs, student-led initiatives, co-designed learning experiences, or projects where students help plan, implement, or present outcomes.
Collaborative proposals often score well because they strengthen engagement and ownership.

9. When is the grants cycle and how do I apply?

Applications typically open in mid-December and close at the end of January.
Review takes place in February and March.
Award announcements are made in March or April.

Teachers apply through the district communication link and via the EEF website.

Top Tips for Applicants

Start early—give yourself time to refine your proposal
Include specific student outcomes (“By spring, 4th graders will…”)
Upload vendor links or sample carts
Keep your narrative concise and focused
Tell us why this truly matters right now