Teacher Mini Grants
Empowering Shelby County Teachers. Enriching Student Lives.
The Shelby County Education Foundation's Teacher Mini Grant program puts resources directly in the hands of the people who know their students best — their teachers. These grants fund innovative classroom projects, hands-on learning experiences, and creative initiatives that go beyond what standard school budgets allow.
Whether it's a school garden, a community partnership, a new set of tools, or an enrichment experience students wouldn't otherwise have access to, Mini Grants help turn great ideas into lasting impact.
Past Recipients
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Caytie Burgin
Growing Beyond the Classroom: Cultivating Student Leaders Through a Student-Led Agriculture, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship Initiative
Shelby Academy
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Gari Grider
School Mission Mural Project
Painted Stone Elementary School
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Rosemary Stone
Stitching Skills for Life: Student-Made Quilts
Shelby County High School
Frequently Asked Questions
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Any certified teacher employed in a Shelby County public school is eligible to apply. Projects must directly benefit students and demonstrate clear educational value.
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Proposals are reviewed by a Foundation committee and scored on a 100-point rubric across seven categories:
Alignment with Goals or Standards (20 points): Strong proposals connect clearly to school or district goals and address a real, identified student need.
Project Description (15 points): We're looking for a clear, realistic plan: what you'll do, how you'll do it, and a timeline that shows you're ready to carry it out.
Student Impact (15 points): Tell us how many students will benefit and how deeply—whether academically, socially and emotionally, or through enrichment and extended learning.
Innovation & Creativity (15 points): The best proposals go beyond typical classroom practice. We love seeing new strategies, tools, or experiences that spark engagement and hands-on problem-solving.
Budget Quality (15 points): Provide a detailed, itemized budget that's directly tied to your project goals and demonstrates cost-effectiveness.
Evaluation & Measurable Outcomes (10 points): How will you know the project worked? Include a clear plan with both qualitative and quantitative indicators of success.
Sustainability (10 points): Projects that build lasting capacity—through reusable materials, skills that carry forward, or experiences that benefit future students—score highest here.
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Clearly articulate how your project connects to school or district goals.
Emphasize the number of students impacted and the depth of that impact.
Provide a detailed, realistic plan with a clear timeline.
Highlight innovative practices that actively engage students.
Prepare an itemized budget directly tied to your goals.
Include a concrete evaluation plan with measurable outcomes.