The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation is currently accepting applications for Public School Proud Grants. Teachers, counselors, and social workers will have eight weeks to submit their ideas. Applications are due Monday, December 5th at 5 p.m.

Educators in the Sioux Falls School District are able to apply for up to $10,000 to purchase materials that will give students hands-on, immersive opportunities. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Education Foundation awarded 54 grants, totaling $120,000.  The largest grants have been at the $10,000 level, and the smallest award was $249.

In the past, the Education Foundation has awarded grants for garden grow kits, musical instruments, programmable robots, outdoor weather stations, automotive technology equipment, math manipulatives, makerspace materials, Smithsonian Science modules, cardboard construction kits, sensory paths, health science simulation mannequins, self-regulation stations, 3D printers, specialized trikes for students with limited mobility, pickleball equipment, art supplies, neuroscience kits, and more.

Education Foundation staff and board members held a focus group with educators in August, and based on their feedback, we have simplified and streamlined the process. Other than general information we need for our records, the application is three questions and should not take more than 15-20 minutes to complete. Anyone interested in submitting a proposal should email Allison Struck (Allison.Struck@k12.sd.us), the Education Foundation’s Executive Director, for an application.

This is a competitive process. All applications are reviewed, and the Grants Committee makes final funding recommendations to the Education Foundation Board of Directors.