$30K in educator grant funding for DEI initiatives/class projects

Purpose: Grant for educators who are actively promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or those who seek to broaden DEI outreach, in their classrooms and schools. The necessity of DEI initiatives lies in understanding that students represent various backgrounds, including diverse races, ethnicities, genders, socioeconomic statuses, and abilities. Schools, as microcosms of society, recognize that fostering diversity and inclusion prepares students for a world inherently diverse.

Funding: Grants range from $500 to $3,000 per applicant funded. Funds may be used for supplies, materials, field trips or other resources. Examples of projects that fit the funding scope: Creative projects (performance art, visual arts, murals, music); Transportation costs associated with field trip to a museum or HBCU; Appearance fees for a guest speaker; The purchase of library books; Development of new curriculum and purchase of class materials.

Funding provided by Untold Stories grant program.

Eligibility: Applicant must be a teacher, librarian or administrator, employed in a student-facing role where they work with students. The applicant must be employed by a school in Macon, Piatt or Moultrie Counties. Open to teachers instructing K-12 students.

Application requirements:

• Project title: Provide a brief sentence to describe the theme or project focus.
• Project objectives/description: What are the DEI issues and topics the project will address.
• Project budget: Explanation of how grant funds will be utilized and amount of funding you are requesting.
• Biographical info: Applicant name, where they teach and contact information.

Applications accepted starting July 9 until all funding is awarded.

On July 16, five grants were announced:

Joslyn Keathley/Jennifer Robertson $1,550 Montessori Academy for Peace The Family Project: Families through the lens of DEI

Megan Meyrick $1,800 American Dreamer STEM Academy Take Flight! Reading Initiative

Rida Ellis $3,000 American Dreamer STEM Academy HBCU College Visit/College and Career Week

Temethia Barbee Joyner $3,000 Montessori Academy for Peace Enhancing Diversity Awareness through Activities and Experiences

Sara Nave $3,000 Maroa-Forsyth Middle School The Harlem Renaissance

On July 31, five grants were announced:

Jessica Cameron, $750, Johns Hill Magnet School, DEI through the Visual Arts

Amanda Reeve, $875, Franklin Grove Elementary School, Little Learners DEI Books/Projects

Jennifer Morrow, $1,000, Eisenhower High School, Diversify EHS Music Libraries

Michael Homberg, $1,500, Johns Hill Magnet School, Dia De Los Muertos Ofrendas Celebration

David Barista, $3,000, Eisenhower High School, Black History Month Art Exhibition

Submit application via email to: Natalie Beck nbeck@heartofillinois.org