Grant Chat

Every great grant starts with a conversation! After you submit your Bright Idea, Lisa will reach out to schedule a relaxed 15–20 minute Grant Chat.* This is an opportunity to talk through your idea, ask questions, and brainstorm together before investing time in the full application. This helps ensure your proposal aligns with LEF’s grant goals—and saves you time if it's not quite the right fit.

You'll receive feedback early, have a chance to strengthen your idea, and know whether it's a good fit before completing the full application.

Teachers consistently tell us this is their favorite part of the process.

Here’s how it works:

Fill out the short Bright Idea Form linked below (takes about 2 minutes). During our conversation you’ll talk about things like:

• your vision for the project

• how students will benefit

• timeline and budget

• existing resources or community partners

• next steps

IF YOUR IDEA IS ALIGNED WITH OUR GOALS, WE’LL SEND YOU THE FULL APPLICATION AND BUDGET FORM.

Application Form

Once your project idea is approved, you’re ready to complete the full application!

You’ll be asked to tell us about:

• Amount requested

• Who will benefit (grade levels and estimated number of students)

• What students will learn (topic/subject area)

• Which LEF/LPS priorities your project supports

• Project summary and detailed description

• How you’ll evaluate the project

• How you’ll assess student learning or growth

A detailed budget is also part of the application. Be sure to use the spreadsheet template we’ll share.  Make sure to include:

• Every item you plan to purchase

• Where it will be purchased from

• Identify which items are essential to the project's success

Help Us See Your Vision

The strongest applications:

• Clearly explain the project (and avoid jargon).

• Describe what students will actually do.

• Explain why this experience matters.

• Connect the project to LEF priorities.

• Include enough detail that reviewers can imagine the project/student experience.

• Explain why LEF funding is needed to make the project possible

Funding

If your application is selected for funding, the LPS Business Office will let you know when funds are available - usually within 4 weeks of the application deadline.

You will work with your school's Administrative Assistant to purchase materials for your project. Please purchase items from your budget, but in case of price changes or issues with item availability, make appropriate substitutions as needed. We are unable to provide additional funds in the event of price increase.

YOUR PROJECT CAN BEGIN AS SOON AS FUNDS ARE TRANSFERRED TO YOUR SCHOOL!

Share Your Story

Help spread the exciting news that you received an LEF Grant because of your bright idea and motivation to enrich student learning!

• Classroom and school newsletters

• Invite us to stop by your classroom or tag along on a field trip. We LOVE this because it allows us to tell a better story and so fund more learning opportunities.

• Send a few photos or student quotes

• Post on social media and tag us! (@libertyedfdn on Instagram and LibertyEducationFoundation on Facebook)

Reporting

We ask you to complete a brief final report at the end of the school year or as soon as your project is complete. We need to know if the grant funds were spent and are eager to learn about student outcomes!