EDUCATOR GRANT APPLICATION

Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) supports Carmel Clay students and educators by providing resources that foster academic growth and personal development, empowering every student to become their best future selves. This, in turn, develops the next generation of Carmel citizens who achieve personal greatness and contribute to our local community.

Recognizing that educators play a significant role in a student’s education, CEF invests in grants that support innovation, enhance student achievement, and inspire student learning. We hope that educators seek this opportunity to pursue a “passion project”, to bring a resource to students they may not otherwise get to experience, or to implement an idea that may be replicable in other areas. 

CEF has a long history of providing classroom, team, and school-wide grants and, since 1966, has invested over $1 million in grants to benefiting CCS students. As the non-profit funding partner for CCS, CEF relies on the generosity of individual, business, and community donors, primarily in Carmel, to fund grants.

SPRING 2026 GRANT APPLICATION

NOW OPEN!!

Funding is to benefit students in one of these three focus areas:

• Student Learning Resources - bring learning concepts to life through innovative materials, hands-on learning experiences, discovery, interactive instruction models, a “passion project” or any unique idea designed to engage students in meaningful, inclusive, and impactful classroom experiences.

• Wellness - physical or mental wellness projects, lessons or activities to promote health and well-being. 

• Opportunities for Success - Projects aimed at the development of student’s academic success in the classroom or to prepare them to make informed, long-term choices so they are better prepared for personal success in today’s dynamic and global society.

General application guidelines and funding parameters:

• All requests need to correlate to a current learning standard, school improvement plan, or district initiative.

• Projects are to directly benefit students.

• Applicant needs to be a certified CCS member (Group grant applications may include non-certified staff, with a certified staff as lead applicant).

• The project is to be implemented by May 31, 2026 for Fall 2025 and by December 31, 2026 for Spring 2026.  

• If funded, you agree to submit a written & visual report within 30 days of the project completion.

fall 2025 AND SPRING 2026 Application Types: 

• ·Individual – CCS certified educator. Requests may be up to $700.

• Groups – including those at the same grade level, department or team in the same building or in different buildings/schools across the district. The group must include at least one certified educator as the lead applicant. Requests may be up to $2,000.

fall 2025 timeline:

• Application opens: July 31, 2025
• Application closes: September 15, 2025; 5:00pm EST
• Grant recipients announced by October 2, 2025
• Funding available 10 days following the announced recipients

SPRING 2026 timeline:

• Application opens: September 22, 2025
• Application closes: January 13, 2026; 5:00pm EST
• Grant recipients announced by February 6, 2026
• Funding available 10 days following the announced recipients

Application Process:

• Review grant overview, FAQ's and writing tips. 
• Review grant examples to help spark your ideas! 
  _{*Note: the content of these grant application examples is for the purpose of providing an example and is the original work of the author(s). Content is not to be copied or used in any way that would be considered as plagiarism.} 
• Receive all necessary approvals prior to completing application (must occur every grant cycle regardless if technology has been approved by CCS in the past).
• Submit application via Kaleidoscope by September 15, 2025 at 5:00pm EST for Fall 2025 and by January 13, 2026 at 5:00pm EST for Spring 2026. 
  • Please use school email address when creating account.
  • Within the application, choose if you're submitting an individual or group application. 
• Be sure to download and complete the budget worksheet in Google Sheets and link the budget worksheet in your application (view only access). Please also share the Google Sheet with foundation@ccs.k12.in.us.  
• Also be sure to review the grant report and media agreement and provide agreement within the application.  

CEF grants funds may not be used for the following:
● Sensory or calming rooms or materials for such rooms (as of Spring 2024)
● Decodable book sets (as of Spring 2024)
● Wonder Books or Playaways (as of Spring 2024)
● Food or drinks for a party, meeting, event, etc.
● Disposable party type supplies (i.e. plates, napkins, tablecloths, decorations, etc.)
● Consumable supplies not necessary for implementation of the project (i.e. markers are likely existing classroom materials, but batteries may be necessary for a robot, etc.)
● Apparel (an exception is if it is a necessary part of the project such as gloves for an experiment) ● Monetary incentives (i.e. gift cards or tangible rewards)
● Compensation and/or benefits for CCS or contract personnel
● Flexible seating as this is provided through CCS
● iPads or Chromebooks
● Staff book clubs or studies, individual training or professional development
● Other items/services may be considered at the discretion of the CEF grant committee and board of directors

Questions? 

Contact Stacey Hetrick, CEF Program Manager, shetrick@ccs.k12.in.us for questions related to the grant program. 

Contact help@mykaleidoscope.com for technical questions or issues with the application. 

Photo: Spring 2024 CEF grant recipients at grant reception