Teacher Mini-Grants

  • The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and the Community Foundation for Muskegon County are excited to offer a mini-grant opportunity to educators in the public, private, and charter elementary schools in Muskegon County that are participating in the Kickstart to Career program. The KickStart to Career Program is the child savings account program designed to help students promote their career pathways. The goal of the KickStart Ambassador to increase student and family awareness of the KickStart to Career program. The mini-grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis to all educators in grades K-5 who would like to become “KickStart Ambassadors.” Learn more about KickStart to Career here https://ktcmuskegon.org/

    Who
    All educators serving grades K-5 in Muskegon County districts participating in KickStart to Career. You can view participating districts here.

    What
    Grants of $250 will be paid directly to educators to be used for any classroom needs. Grants will be paid after completion of the KickStart Ambassador requirements. Requirements include:

    • Attend a KickStart Ambassador orientation (20 minutes) – available via zoom throughout the summer.
    • Agree to integrate KickStart to Career into the curriculum and/or culture of your classroom. Some ways to do this include: incorporate in lesson plans that integrate career exploration/financial literacy or PBIS, host a family deposit day, foster a future-focused mindset, or integrate a new idea – Creativity welcome!
    • Agree to complete a brief report on how you integrated KickStart to Career in your classroom, including any lesson plans, worksheet, or other developed documents. These documents will be compiled into a toolkit to share with other childhood savings account programs, so your good ideas will be shared!
    • Agree to be an ongoing KickStart Ambassador: talk about KickStart to Career with students and families, continue to integrate conversations about KickStart to Career in your classroom moving forward – help us achieve our goal of greater awareness and understanding of the program!

    How
    Applications should be submitted using this website: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfmusk
    The same website will be used to submit the report sharing how KickStart to Career was integrated into your classroom. After completing submitting your grant and completing a KickStart Ambassador orientation, a check in the amount of $250 will be awarded to you to invest in your classroom as you see fit!

    When
    KickStart Ambassador applications are open now. Grants are first-come, first-served, and we can support up to 100 Muskegon County Educators. The application will close on August 31 or when funds are depleted.

    Questions?
    Kickstart Ambassadors or Kickstart to Career questions – contact Kari Wiersema kickstart@muskegonfoundation.org
    Mini-grant application or award questions contact Janelle Mair janelle@muskegonfoundation.org

  • Who
    All school district employees in Muskegon County are eligible to apply. You can only submit one application, and grants are limited to one per classroom and one per teacher per school year.

    What
    Grants can be up to $500 for specific projects or programs, including program enhancement that meets curriculum guidelines, expanding an already existing unit, student awards, special events, professional development, artists in residence, and parent involvement programs. Grants are not awarded for basic, everyday supplies. YAC does not typically fund field trips, iPads, or school store projects.

    When
    Teacher Mini-Grant applications are now open.  Grants must be submitted by October 28, 2022.

    How
    Teacher Mini-Grant applications should be submitted online via our Submittable service.  Click here to apply. An evaluation and photos will be required for each mini-grant that is funded.

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