The Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) is proud to support Carmel Clay Schools (CCS) students in academic achievement and lifelong learning. We recognize that students are valuable resources in our school communities and we want to inspire their innovation and passion by funding projects that begin with a great idea and have a lasting impact. 
 

Note to Parents & Family Members:

We encourage students to take the lead on this grant application, as the process is an important part of their learning. While family members can provide guidance and support, please allow your student to generate ideas, write the application, and oversee their project. This fosters essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and project management. Thank you for supporting their independence, no matter their age!

These projects should be designed to foster a sense of community and develop essential skills, positively influencing classrooms, grade levels, school areas, student clubs, teams, or any other student group setting.

 

OPEN NOW!!  

All applications are due by November 3, 2025 at 5pm EST.

Late applications will not be accepted.
 

GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA 

• Student Ideas Only – The idea needs to come from a Carmel Clay student or a group of students, in grades K-12.  

• Meets a Need – The project must meet a need in a school community. 

• Individual or Groups – The application may be submitted by an individual student or a group of students in grades K-12.

  • If being submitted as a group, one student will need to be the main applicant.  

  • We suggest no more than five students be involved in the application process. 

  • Additional students can help implement the project if the grant is awarded. 

• Video Application – Students will create a 3-5 minute video application based on an outline and rubric. Before finalizing and uploading your video for review, please take a moment to check both the video and sound quality to ensure everything is clear and easy to understand. 

• Budget – Grant requests can be up to $1,500.  

  • A sound budget showing what exactly the funds will be spent on and point of purchase is part of the application. Budget worksheet amount must match amount requested in application. 

• CCS Staff Mentor application - A CCS staff mentor (no parents please) will complete the mentor application along with the student applicant(s). 

• ​​​​​A written and visual report, completed by both the student and mentor, needs to be submitted within 30 days of the project completion 

  • Grant projects need to be completed by May 31, 2026.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

• Review grant outline, video rubric and FAQ's

• Complete an online application via Kaleidoscope which includes uploading student video, based on outline and rubric by November 3, 2025.

• Students have to be involved in all areas of the application including creating the video and budget.

• Receive all necessary approvals prior to completing video and application. Approvals will be verified. 

• A CCS staff member will sponsor the student(s) applying for the grant. They will guide students in the video application process, complete an online application, assist students with the budget and grant agreement. 

• Recipients will be announced by December 4, 2025.  

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. 

The 2023, 2024 and 2025 great idea projects linked below were focused on community building, wellness or stem and positively impacted a classroom, grade level, area of the school, student club, a team or any student group setting.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE LIST OF GRANT RECIPIENTS, THEIR MENTORS, THEIR GREAT IDEA WITH DESCRIPTION, AND THE SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT. 

spring 2025 student led grant awards

spring 2024 student led grant awards

SPRING 2023 STUDENT LED GRANT AWARDS