Get Funding for Your Innovative Ideas
Are you a teacher, administrator, or support staff member with an innovative project idea that needs funding? Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) and our community of supporters are ready to help you make it happen! Through our easy-to-use online grant application platform, educators can post their school or classroom projects and get funding from HEF and a pool of individual donors.
Our platform allows community members to search by school, teacher, or subject area, giving them the chance to directly support the amazing work happening in our classrooms. Whether you’re looking to fund a STEAM initiative, arts program, or any project that enriches students’ learning, we want to help you succeed!
Get Started Today:
- HEF provides dedicated funding to fuel innovative classroom projects that go beyond typical school budgets, sparking excitement and engagement among students.
- We encourage applicants to actively promote their project via social media and email using a custom link to gather additional support.
- Hillsborough County Public Schools educators can apply for project funding ranging from $100 to $2,000.
Don’t miss your chance to secure funding for your innovative ideas! Start your application today and inspire young minds in ways you’ve always dreamed.
Applications are now open!
Grant Timeline
- – Grant application portal opens
- – Grant application portal closes – last day to apply
- – Deadline to complete project(s)
- – Deadline to submit outcome report(s)
- – Deadline to submit grant recipient and student thank you notes
“HEF’s school and classroom enrichment grants provide the resources necessary to provide and maintain optimal learning environments which provide the greatest chance of success for all students.”
– Lisa Lawson, Gifted Teacher
Claywell Elementary (pictured right)
FAQs
HEF accepts applications from educators, administrators, media specialists, and guidance counselors.
HEF’s Review Committee meets monthly to review applications. Once selections are made, teachers are notified by email and award letters are sent to teachers, principals and bookkeepers.
Yes, curriculum-based field trip proposals are welcomed.
- Anticipated outcomes support the goals
- Project and items are curriculum-based
- Number of students impacted
- Measurable outcomes are defined, where possible
- Enrichment experience for students
- Teacher innovation
- Cost per student ratio
- Technology, such as tablets, iPads, tablets, computers, etc.
- Any kind of furniture (examples: desks & bookcases).
- Room décor such as pillows and posters.
- Online software subscriptions.
- Gift cards.
1) A check written to your school. Grant recipients need to work with their bookkeeper for purchases and expense reporting according to the Grant Fund Financial Policy.
or
2) Funds can be added to the grant recipient’s ClassWallet account for purchasing directly through their vendors and/or submitting receipts for reimbursement.
Sometimes HEF has access to requested items and may contact you to make arrangements to pick them up. Depending on your location, we may be able to make delivery arrangements.
Yes. To provide donors with information about the impact of their dollars, grant recipients must complete a brief outcomes report, submit a thank you letter along with notes from students, and submit pictures at the end of the school year. This is a vital part of donor relations that helps us secure funding.
No, it is not required for applying however, if your grant is chosen for funding and you select payment by check, your principal will be required to sign off on the Grant Funds Financial Policy.
We recommend you communicate your plans with your administration so they are aware.
Yes, you must notify the HCPS Grants & Research Operations (GRO) office of your intent to apply for funding by completing a Grant Application Notification form. It may also be accessed from the HCPS Staff Hub webpage: use the dropdown menu and select “Grant Application Notification form.” This form must be filled out at least two weeks prior to submitting your grant and must be completed for each opportunity you pursue. Please review the HCPS Grant Guidelines.
Have questions? Please contact:
Angie Anthony
Director of Scholarships and Grant Programs
Hillsborough Education Foundation
813-574-0273
aanthony@educationfoundation.com
