Grants for Teachers

Since 1990, CU Schools Foundation has accepted applications from educators in the Champaign and Urbana public schools, and awarded MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS based on these proposals. We fund a broad spectrum of projects to help children of all ages and all levels of accomplishment. The benefits of these projects continue long after the initial investment.

The Be Like Bennett grant is in honor of the late Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett. The goal for this grant is to promote understanding and unity among diverse communities through projects that foster student empowerment, community development, empathy and hope.  The grant is for teachers in K-8th grade. Two $500 grants will be awarded each year. Application online.

The grant fund addresses the specific need for supplemental classroom books (excludes textbooks). Teachers can submit requests for up to $200.00. Names will be randomly drawn for funding. This is a reimbursement grant.  Application online.

IDEA grants are awarded for up to $250.00, chosen through a random drawing. Teachers pay for resources up front and submit receipts for reimbursement.  Fast reimbursement process.  Application online.

This grant category is reviewed by a selection committee before being awarded.  Not all grant requests are awarded. This is also a reimbursement grant.  Multi-School grants will have funds sent to the district business office. Application online.

• Up to $500.00 for a single teacher/licensed professional educator
• Up to $1,000.00 for 2 partner teachers/licensed professional educator
• Up to $2,000.00 for multi-school partner teachers/licensed professional
• Applications online

 Up to $5,000.00 – must be cross district and include a community partner.  Teachers who have an idea for a project can email a single page description or outline of their project idea to pdessen@cuschoolsfoundation.org.  Grant ideas will be reviewed and projects that show promise will be invited to submit a complete application. The completed application with budget and timeline will be reviewed and adjustments made as needed before the funds are distributed to the district for the teachers to access. The timeline for this grant category is flexible. Application is NOT online.

This grant is for K-12 music teachers in Urbana District #116. The purpose of this grant is to promote music education and appreciation with an emphasis on classical music. Grant requests not to exceed $1,000.00.

This grant is for Unit 4 music teachers only. The purpose of this grant is to promote music education with an emphasis on classical music. Grant requests not to exceed $3,000.00

The Vincent O. Greene Grants are funded through a gift from the estate of Mr. Vincent O. Greene.

To honor Mr. Greene’s passion for education, CUSF established this grant to enhance education in the area of financial literacy, math, business, accounting, finance or similar fields of study.

K-12 teachers in both districts can apply for $500.00 to $4,000.00 in funding to implement projects in financial literacy, accounting, math and similar subject areas. Application online.

This grant supports career exploration in K-12. Grants are from $500.00 to $3,000.00.  Collaboration with community partners (industry, university, businesses, etc.) is encouraged.  Application online.

Susan “Suzi” Sargeant McDonald was the founder/developer of the Krannert Center Youth Series. Rich McDonald, her husband established this endowment in her memory. The goal of this grant program is to support Champaign Unit 4 and Urbana School District #116 student attendance at Youth Series events at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA) at the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL.

Teachers order tickets from Krannert, they are not required to pay for the tickets at the time of ordering.  Ticket subsidies are available for schools considered high poverty.  This grant category assists with buses, subs or tickets as needed.  No application is required.  Krannert will send a list of the Unit 4 and District 116 teachers who have ordered tickets.  

CUSF will contact teachers with tickets to assess whether financial assistance is needed for buses, subs or tickets.

This fund was established by the children of Barbara and Robert Wolf in memory of their parents. The Wolf children all participated in Central HS music programs and Mrs. Wolf was a very active band parent. Funds from this endowment will support Central High School music events.

GRANT NEWS