BCEF provides financial assistance to classrooms and schools through educator-initiated requests. These educational opportunities help benefit BCSD students by enriching their education, nurturing kindness and confidence, promoting mindfulness and discipline, strengthening their communication skills, and supporting both mental and physical well-being.
Guidelines for Educational Opportunities
All grant fund requests must support the mission of the Blaine County Education Foundation – to promote academic excellence, equitable education and a healthy and sustainable student environment.
- Grants up to $1,000 must be approved by your building administrator.
- Grants over $1,000 must be approved by the superintendent or designee.
- Grants over $5,000 must be approved by the BCSD School Board. The policy and approval form is attached below.
Process and Timeline for Educational Opportunities
Step 1
Complete the Application to be considered. The signed 830 Policy form must accompany the application.
Fall Cycle:
- Innovative, Classroom, and Schoolwide Grant applications open September 1st.
- Applications due by September 30th.
- Funds awarded by November 1st.
Spring Cycle:
- Classroom and Schoolwide Grant applications open January 1st.
- Applications due by February 15th.
- Funds awarded by March 15th.
Essential Resource Grants:
- Rolling submissions reviewed by the committee.
- Funds awarded within 2 weeks of completed application.
Step 2
Get funding for your Educational Opportunity. If you’ve been approved, there are three ways to receive your funding:
- Purchase the materials yourself, complete the Reimbursement Form, and submit the form and receipts via email or through the BCSD school mail.
- Send the invoice to info@supportbcef.org so we can pay it directly.
- Request a money transfer to your school.
Step 3
Provide feedback of the impact of the Educational Opportunity to BCEF.
Complete and submit your End of Grant Report no later than June 1st for Fall Grants and September 1st for Spring Grants, or you can send an email to info@supportbcef.org with a summary of the impact the grant had on your students. Pictures would be appreciated as well.
Please note: Any amount left unused by the end of the current school year will be returned to BCEF. All materials purchased are the property of Blaine County School District and the program for which they are purchased.
Approved Projects will be eligible to apply for grant funding for a maximum of three years.
Types of Educational Opportunities
Innovative Ideas Grants*
The Blaine County Education Foundation awards Innovative Ideas Grants to BCSD staff to support academic excellence, encourage collaboration and inspire student learning. Grants awarded for Innovative Ideas are meant to be first time funding only.
These grants are meant to fund projects in which teachers are seeking to take a truly innovative approach to teaching and learning and may cover supplies or materials needed for unique learning initiatives.
Classroom / Department Grants
Classroom grants are grants awarded to individual teachers for a wide variety of classroom needs.
All Classroom Grants must align with BCSD curriculum. A teacher may submit similar requests for a maximum of 3 years. After 3 years the staff member should include necessary supplies in its classroom or building budget.
Classroom Grants are reviewed during both the Fall and Spring grant cycles. Up to $1,000 for an individual teacher or $2,500 for a team.
Schoolwide/Program Grants
Schoolwide grants are grants awarded for subscriptions or needs that will benefit the entire school.
Similar requests may be submitted for a maximum of 3 years. After 3 years the building administrator should include necessary supplies in its building budget or make a request to the district.
Up to $5,000 per school. Only one schoolwide request to be accepted per cycle.
Essential Resource Grants
Essential resource grants are meant to fill immediate, often unforeseen needs.
These grants are reviewed on a rolling basis and can be distributed immediately.
Essential Resource Grants can be requested for up to $250 and can be for basic supplies needed for instruction.
- All Innovative Ideas must align with BCSD curriculum and must be approved by administration as per BCSD Policy 830. After an initial grant is awarded in the Innovative Ideas category, a staff member may request consumables and maintenance supplies for up to three years. After 3 years the staff member should include necessary supplies in its classroom or building budget. Innovative Ideas Grants are reviewed during the Fall Grant cycle only. Up to $2,500 for an individual or $5,000 for a team.