Congratulations to our 2023-24 Teacher Grant Recipients! Click here to view the grant projects.

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation funds grants once a year to support the purchase of much-needed supplies and tools, as well as to encourage the development of creative and innovative teaching in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. 

Teacher Grant Recipients 2023-24. Click here to submit your Final Report

WHAT WE FUND: Project-based supplies for innovative programs or curriculum development in the classrooms, student field trips, technology, instructional tools, and general supplies. *(If the teacher is requesting software, the principal must check with ETS to make sure the software is allowed and compatible.) Projects must be student-centered, directly benefit students and enhance and improve students outcomes.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND: Professional development, district-wide programs and initiatives, incentives/awards, instruments, consultants (e.g.hiring artists or coaches to visit your classroom), wages and software/technology (that has not been pre-approved by the SBUSD ETS department).

FUNDING AND GRANT CYCLE: There are three funding categories: grants up to $1,000, grants up to $2,500, and grants up to $5,000.  * New this year: A STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics) focused category which includes, but not limited to one $10,000 school-wide grant opportunity. See below:

• SBEF has an amazing opportunity to award one $10,000 school-wide grant.  This grant must be STEM focused and impact all the students in the school (elementary and junior high) or an academy (at the high school level).  This grant must be submitted by one teacher on behalf of a school or academy (with principal approval).  Grant proposals may request money for a new project or support for expanding an existing program.  Each school can only submit ONE application in this category.

REVIEW PROCESS: SBEF staff first checks all the applications to ensure they are complete and meet the eligibility requirements. Then members of the SBEF Teacher Grants committee review all eligible applications. The committee consists of SBEF Board Members, SB Unified Principals,  SBUSD teachers, and community members.

DECISION PROCESS: All applicants will be notified of the status of their grant by December 5, 2023.

FINAL REPORT: Grant recipients will be asked to submit a final report no later than May 31, 2024.  Please note if a final report is not submitted, you are not eligible to apply for a grant the following year.

Please contact Programs Manager, Katie Szopa with questions regarding the application at [email protected] or 805-284-9125, ext.702. 

FAQs

• Can one teacher apply for all four grants? NO, we only accept one grant submission per applicant. (* New this year).
• Can you apply for a grant if you received one last year? YES, applicants who received a grant in previous years are eligible to apply again (unless a final report was not submitted).
• Do we award partial grants, or is it all or nothing? We do award partial grants.
• Does my principal need to sign off on the grant? YES, an email will be sent to your principal to request their approval before you can submit your application.
• Will I need to attend an award ceremony?  YES, we request your presence at the award ceremony, TBD January 2024.
• How will the funds be distributed? SBEF will issue reimbursement checks or pay for items directly once a cost list has been approved. All communication for purchases and reimbursements should be directed to SBEF Programs Manager, Katie Szopa at [email protected]

SBEF’s Teacher Grants are funded by individual donors and businesses who want to make an impact in classrooms. Become a Teacher Grant supporter today.