Do your students have a BIG IDEA to enhance their school or serve the wider community?

Is there an individual student ready to conduct research, dive into a passion project, or develop a new skill?

We want to help them bring it to life.

The Liberty Education Foundation’s Student Grants are all about student ownership, real-world learning, and creating opportunities for students to lead meaningful work that matters to them. We support K–12 student-driven projects because:

• Learner agency fuels enthusiasm for school and lifelong learning.

• Students are empowered when they realize they can make a real difference.

• Group projects help students experience collaboration, teamwork, and shared purpose.

• The best ideas often start with a spark — a question like “What if we…?” after a great lesson or experience.
  

What Makes a Project Student-Driven?

We want to ensure we’re funding authentic student-led work — not projects where students are simply helpers for an adult’s vision.

To keep the focus on real-world learning and student ownership, we ask that:

• Students are actively engaged in developing the idea — even if it was sparked by a class discussion, school need, or teacher suggestion.

• Students take the lead in planning, budgeting, and presenting their project.

• Adults serve as facilitators, not drivers — helping organize or guide as needed, but not completing the project for the students.

• The project connects to student learning — either tied to a recent lesson/unit, a skill they’re eager to develop, or an authentic personal interest.

If the idea is more aligned to a teacher’s passion or instructional strategy than student engagement, consider applying for an LEF Grant instead. Student Grants are about students driving the work — not just showing up to support it.

Group Size & Student Engagement

We’ve found that the most meaningful student grant projects involve small teams (ideally 6–8 students) where everyone can play a meaningful role. Larger groups can work — but only when roles are clearly defined and students stay actively involved throughout the process.

To help with this:

• Break large groups into smaller planning teams with rotating roles.

• Ensure there’s a timeline with check-ins to maintain momentum.

• Avoid projects where students only contribute during one class period or for one limited task.

We want every participating student to walk away with a sense of pride, accomplishment, and growth!