What if…?
How many times have you asked that question? What if…you stack the block like this? Or you’ve said to a coworker, “What if…we could create a classroom…but it’s also a working farm?
Give us your What if…? It can be a huge and seemingly crazy idea, or it can be super simple. What will make the difference in the lives of our students? And don’t be afraid - we are here to talk through ideas with you. Big or small, we want to hear your ideas!
Keep reading below to learn more about our Challenge Grant program and how to begin.
Not Just for Teachers!
You might be a custodian, a bus driver, a counselor, a para or a food service employee (just to name a few roles). As long as the proposal is for an educational project, something that helps our students learn, grow and prepare for success after Maize USD 266, we want to hear from you!
For instance, perhaps a team of our Food Service staff members have an idea for kick-starting a district-wide composting program. Or, maybe the Transportation Department has an idea to implement a leadership program that encourages student bus riders to "lead from within." There are lots of possibilities!
Four Types of Grants
STEAM / Project-Based Learning Grants
Academic / Instructional Grants
Social Emotional / Character Development Grants
Professional Learning Grants
Learn more about the grant process:
Questions?
We are here to help and are happy to guide you through the process.
Contact Emi Simmons at 316.350.2029 or at esimmons@usd266.com.
2023-2024 Challenge Grant Cycle
ABSTRACTS DUE 2/14/2024
Your grant abstract should be a brief outline that summarizes your idea in one to three pages.
INITIAL REVIEW AND FEEDBACK
A review committee composed of district leaders, administrators, and educators will review each abstract. The committee will assess abstracts from multiple points of view including viability, operations and facilities, success measurements, and to ensure the ideas align with district policy and educational initiatives.
The committee may determine that an idea does not align with district or Foundation goals, and will try to guide the applicant(s) in a direction that is more properly aligned. The committee may dismiss the application if it seems substantially misaligned with district and Foundation goals.
The review committee will provide each applicant/team with feedback and guidance to help applicants refine their submission, including suggestions to make final applications thorough, complete, convincing, and competitive.
Application instructions and feedback will be sent to applicants on or before March 1, 2024.
FINAL APPLICATIONS DUE 4/8/2024
With the feedback received from the committee, applicants will submit a full application and budget.
Challenge Grant Awards
One of the highlights of every year is the chance to celebrate the hard work, passion, and ingenuity of USD266 staff.
The first Challenge Grant this year was delivered in a surprise presentation at Complete High School Maize where Caitlyn Gregory and Adam Melichar received a $4,100 grant to create a wilderness expedition program for CHSM students.
At this year's Spring Convocation (the first since 2019), MEF board members took the stage and awarded 6 more Challenge Grants.
2021-2022 CHALLENGE Grants
$5,528.60 - "STEAM for All" - Audra Reed (Pray Woodman Elementary)
$4,257.00 - "AV Equipment for Web & Digital Students" - Vicki Klaker (Maize Career Academy
$3,991.00 - "Book Club for Maize Middle School" - Mariah McDowell (Maize Middle School)
$4,702.91 - "Regulated and Ready to Learn" - Ashley Hett (Pray Woodman Elementary)
$9,136.80 - "It's Not Just Scribbling" - Judi Adams (Maize Early Childhood Center)
$5,000.00 - "Maize High School Library Updates" - Kelly Blurton (Maize High School)
Thanks to the help of our wonderful donors and sponsors, MEF was able to award nearly $37,000 in Challenge Grants - funding all 7 applications that were submitted.
We are able to fund Challenge Grants and other Foundation programs largely because of the support of our generous donors and sponsors. If you would like to help, please click here to learn how you can support the Foundation.