If you had $750 to dedicate to advancing racial equity in your classroom or school, what would you do? Apply for AdoptAClassroom.org’s Winter 2024 Racial Equity in Schools Spotlight Fund grant and tell us!
We’re looking for innovative ways to support and uplift students and teachers of color in K-12 schools. Below are some examples of projects that would qualify under this grant. We hope that they help spark your imagination!
Example project proposals:
- Host events for students, their families, and/or the greater community that celebrate Black culture and feature work and wisdom from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists.
- Purchase diverse books, games, and curricula that help students see themselves in their learning materials.
- Create a science unit focused on learning about and engaging with the contributions of BIPOC scientists.
If you are a school administrator and your school is seeking funding, learn more about our School Program. You can also contact us for more information at [email protected].
Grant Application Process:
The Winter 2024 Spotlight Fund grant application has two rounds:
- Initial application: This form only takes a few minutes to fill out and asks for some basic information about your class, school, and students. Detailed criteria can be found below.
- Full application: At least 150 selected applicants will be invited to answer several additional questions, including how a Spotlight Fund grant would benefit your students and what you would purchase with the grant funds. Detailed criteria can be found below.
The strongest applications will be selected for a $750 Racial Equity in Schools Fund grant. We will award at least 21 grants. If you are unsure if you qualify for this grant opportunity, please contact our team at [email protected] for guidance.
Grant Application Timeline
- February 7, 2024: Initial application round closes
- February 15, 2024: Accepted applicants are notified and invited to complete the full application
- February 28, 2024: Full application closes
- March 25, 2024: $750 grants awarded
- June 28, 2024: Donor Reports due
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be licensed PreK-12 educators or certified staff members, employed at an accredited K-12 public, private, or charter school in the United States or Puerto Rico.
- Educators must agree to and follow AdoptAClassroom.org’s Terms of Use to apply and receive funds.
- Educators must have an active AdoptAClassroom.org classroom page by the application deadline. Log in or register to create your classroom page. Step-by-step instructions can be found here.
- Educators who have had $50 or more in classroom funds expire may be deemed ineligible for Spotlight Fund grants. Learn more about why funds may expire.
- Educators who apply for funds give consent for their application content, name, photo, biography, and the name of the school where they teach to be published in communications by AdoptAClassroom.org and/or their partners to promote our mission and/or partnership.
- AdoptAClassroom.org reserves the right to revise application materials for clarity or communication purposes.
Donor Reporting Requirements
Educators who receive the $750 grant will be required to complete a Donor Report by June 28, 2024, detailing measurable impact on student success. This could include improved levels of student engagement or attendance, an increase in grade point averages, and/or several other success metrics.
Funded teachers will also be asked to provide thank you content, including photos of what they purchased, a thank you video, and/or thank you notes from students.
Evaluation Criteria for Initial Applications
AdoptAClassroom.org will be evaluating initial applications for the following:
- School need – Does the educator’s school fit AdoptAClassroom.org’s definition of a high-needs school based on the following measures?
- Relatively high percentage of students (80%+) receiving free or reduced-price lunch
- Relatively high number of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
- Relatively high number of English-language learners
- Educator need – Has the applicant received donation(s) on AdoptAClassroom.org worth more than $500 in the previous 12 months?
- School location (to ensure disbursement of funds nationwide)
- Log-in frequency – Has the applicant logged in to their AdoptAClassroom.org account recently? Is their classroom page up to date?
- Number of students impacted – How many students will benefit from the grant? If you have a smaller classroom size but a compelling need for funding, apply and tell us why.
Evaluation Criteria for Full Application
Educators selected to complete a full application will be notified by email with the application link on or before February 15, 2024.
Invited applicants will be asked to respond to the following questions in writing:
- Explain why it is essential for all educators to actively pursue racial equity for their students. Please briefly share how you have seen issues of racism impacting your own students or school.
- What specific strategies, methods, or programs do you currently use to be anti-racist in your classroom or school? What measurable (qualitative or quantitative changes) changes have you noticed by adjusting your practices to meet the needs of your students of color?
- Describe why you need funding to support your racial equity initiatives or curriculum in your classroom. Tell us something unique and/or specific about your classroom. For example: how the pandemic or other recent events have affected you and your students, the importance of culture and demographics in your school community, tell a story about an anonymous specific student, share a personal struggle or success, or anything else that highlights the uniqueness of your classroom.
- How will this grant help you and your students? Share your vision of how this grant will help you engage your students in their learning and meet their needs. Specifically, how will this grant promote racial equity for your students of color? Please highlight a unique idea, project, or curriculum that you want to implement.
- What would you purchase with this grant? Please be as specific as possible. Applicants are encouraged to research the materials and supplies available for purchase on the AdoptAClassroom.org Marketplace.
Grading criteria:
- Educator clearly explains the need for funding to support their racial equity initiatives or curricula and their unique needs (5 points)
- Educator articulates a problem that a $750 grant can realistically address and how the grant will make an impactful change in their classroom or for their students (5 points)
Apply Now
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].