Classroom Grant Newsletter
August 1, 2020
At both the PPS Foundation and Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI), we support PPS teachers and staff in their efforts to involve and engage students in the classroom. We understand that this year will look very different compared to other years, but please know that we want to help you fund your project ideas to enrich the classroom experience for your students.

With that in mind, we are offering two types of grants this year: a traditional Classroom Grant and a STEM Grant. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, we will not be offering any of our Field Experience grants or the Classroom Innovation grant. We are hopeful that we will be able to bring those back next school year.

While most classroom grant programs award initiatives submitted by just teachers, the PPS Foundation's selection committee also considers requests from other personnel (such as counselors, home school facilitators, etc). Read on to find out more about the PPS Foundation and CFCI's combined Classroom Grant program and which grant opportunity best fits your project idea.
What types of grant opportunities does our program offer?

Traditional Classroom Grant
This grant is available to any Pre-K through 12th grade teacher or staff member interested in a project to enrich the classroom experience for their students. Award amounts will be up to $1,000.

This grant is only available for 5th-12th grade teachers or staff for the purpose of STEM projects (science, technology, engineering, or math) to enhance the learning experiences of students. Grants will be awarded up to $1,500.

For more detailed eligibility requirements, please see the online application page for each grant and also check out this guideline .
Need some inspiration for your grant application before you apply?
Checkout the video above from our Buzz Chats series with Mr. Joe Baumgardner from Richwoods High School. Mr. Baumgardner received funding for all four of the grants we offered last school year - the Traditional Classroom Grant, the Field Experience Grant, the STEM Grant, and the Classroom Innovation Grant. He did an excellent job presenting his project ideas on his applications. Hear some of his best practice tips in this Buzz Chats video.

Looking for some more tips before you get started on your application?
Check out pictures of the grant projects from previous years below!
For more inspiration click here to see a description of the projects of last year's grant recipients.
A Brief History of the Classroom Grant Program...
CRG
The Peoria Public Schools Foundation and the Yeomans Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois joined together in 2013 to offer classroom grants to Peoria Public Schools teachers through one application process.
 
Since 1998, the PPS Foundation has provided over $300,000 to classrooms and teachers throughout Peoria Public Schools. This classroom grant program is designed to benefit students by supporting teachers and allowing professional educators to implement their most innovative ideas.
 
The Yeomans Fund is held with the Community Foundation of Central Illinois and was created in 1998 by Murray and Rena Yeomans. This is an endowed fund with an emphasis on assisting the Peoria Public Schools system. Each year, a portion of the Yeomans Fund's distributions are used to fund Peoria Public Schools Classroom grants.
Ready to apply?
To apply for any of the grants in our program, click the links below: