Classroom Grants is a grant from the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation that funds innovative educational opportunities for students in Grand Island Public Schools, Nebraska that fall outside the school district's general budget. Grants are awarded once per school year, with applications accepted in late September and awards announced in October; funded projects begin after November 1.

The program also offers the Janeth Davis Memorial Fund through the same application process to honor a community member's memory. Eligible applicants must be educators with a gips. org email address employed by Grand Island Public Schools.

Grants range from $250 to $2,500.

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Classroom Grants range from $250 to $2,500 One application round per school year. The GIPS Foundation awards annual Classroom Grants to fund educational opportunities for students that fall outside the school district's general budget. Only applicants with a gips.

org email address are eligible. September 26 at 4:00 pm - closed October - awards announced Projects should begin after November 1 Janeth Davis Memorial Fund Awarded through the Classroom Grant process The family of Janeth Davis offers this fund to honor her memory and invest in the students of Grand Island Public Schools. Mrs. Davis was a middle school teacher, teaching both English and Spanish.

She loved her students and was a fierce advocate for their education and opportunities. Frequently Asked Questions Got a question? You're likely not the only one!

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section is packed with quick answers to common queries, saving you time and getting you the information you need fast. Curious about our application process? We've got you covered!

Discover everything from application requirements and the steps involved to how applications are evaluated, all in this section. Just in case you couldn't find your answer here, contact us ! We're always happy to help.

Will there be a grant round in the second semester? How do I create an account? How do I reset my password?

How do I create multiple grant requests? What do the icons in my application mean? How to Check Your Recommendation Status Submitting Your Grant Application What projects are eligible and ineligible for funding?

Will there be a grant round in the second semester? No, the Classroom Grant program now operates on a single annual round. The application period will open in August and close at the end of September, with grant awards announced by the end of October.

How do I create an account? Please Note: Only applicants with a gips. org email address are eligible for grants.

Before accessing the online grant application, you'll need to register as a new user. During registration, you'll create your own unique username and password. Important: Do not create a duplicate account.

If you already have an account but can't remember your username, please contact the system administrator. Creating a duplicate account may result in your application being disqualified by the Grant Committee. How do I reset my password?

If you forget your username or password, use the "reset your account" link. You'll need to know the email address or username associated with your account. If you still cannot access your account contact the System Administrator at cwiemers@gips.

org . How do I create multiple grant requests? NOTE: Only applicants with a gips.

org email address are eligible for grants. Maximum of 5 grant requests per cycle: After you have created an account and started/completed the grant application, you can create additional grant applications to be considered during the same grant cycle. The maximum number of grant requests per cycle is five.

All grant applications can be created with one user account. Create a new grant application: Click on the pencil to open a grant application. View list of grant applications: Click on Forms in the top grey box.

This will navigate back to your list of applications. Click on the pencil next to the application you want to work on. What do the icons in my application mean?

A green check mark indicates that all of the required fields in a form have been completed and saved. A red exclamation point is shown when at least one required field in a form is empty or contains an invalid entry. Your document cannot be submitted while any of its forms are incomplete.

If you hover your mouse over the red exclamation point, pop-up text will list the reasons that a form is considered incomplete. A green save diskette is shown when there is a change to a field in the form. You must click on the diskette to save the information.

The green diskette may appear at the bottom of the screen or in the upper right of the page. How to Check Your Recommendation Status Every grant application requires a recommendation from your building principal or direct supervisor. You cannot submit your application until this recommendation is complete.

Once you enter your principal/supervisor's information on the "Principal Recommendation and Signature" page, they'll receive an email with a link to the online recommendation form. After they complete it, they won't be able to access your application again. It's your responsibility to monitor their progress.

You'll see the recommendation's status next to their email on the "Principal Recommendation and Signature" page: (Notified): The recommendation form link has been sent. (Failed): The email address is incorrect; please correct it to resend the link. (Completed): The recommendation form has been submitted.

Submitting Your Grant Application To submit, ensure all required fields are complete and your principal's recommendation is submitted. The "Submit" button will become active when ready. An email confirmation will follow.

If the button is inactive, check for incomplete sections. Applications must be submitted by the deadline. What projects are eligible and ineligible for funding?

Classroom Grants typically fund projects that involve out-of-the-ordinary supplies, educational software for student use, and similar innovative needs. A strong application will clearly articulate the positive impact and direct benefits for students. We encourage and view favorably cooperative grants that involve multiple educators or departments.

The following items are ineligible for grant funding: document cameras (e.g., Elmos, iPevos), Smartboards, teacher stipends, T-shirts, alternative seating, and food (unless directly related to the project). 2025-2026 Classroom Grant Awards For the 2025-2026 school year, 8 grants totaling $10,371 were awarded through the Classroom Grants process. Grants range from $50 to $2,500.

The Janeth Davis Memorial Fund and the Richard "Dick" Nabity Memorial Fund generously provided funds to expand the Classroom Grant program. 4,429 students will benefit from a classroom grant this school year.

Milkweed Planting Project Safe Saws for Creative Minds: Empowering K–5 Students in STEAM and Social Emotional Learning Sensory Integration for Student Success Starry Skies, Bright Minds: a Planetarium Experience for First Graders Streamlining Performance: A Drum Kit Workstation for Student-Led Efficiency Enhancing Learning Through Apple Technology Integration Safe Saws for Creative Minds Engleman Elementary students are taking hands-on learning to the next level thanks to the "Safe Saws for Creative Minds" project.

Led by SECA Instructor Megan Danner and funded by a Grand Island Public Schools Foundation grant, the initiative introduced child-safe electric ChompSaws to the classroom. These tools allow K–5 students to apply math, science, and literacy skills as they design and build 3D projects from cardboard.

This week, the project came full circle as students hosted an art show during Parent/Teacher conferences, giving families a chance to see the impressive sculptures created through this collaboration. It’s a great example of how Foundation-funded resources are helping our educators personalize learning and spark student engagement across the district.

iPad, I Can: Empowering Every Learner Through Digital Innovation Stolley Park Elementary Kindergarten teachers Becky Waind and Katrina Moseman have been recognized for their commitment to personalized learning, securing a Classroom Grant from the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Foundation.

This significant funding will introduce cutting-edge Apple technology—including Apple TVs, iPads, and Apple Pencils—into their classrooms to support their belief in differentiated instruction. Surprise and Innovation: GIPS Foundation Awards $10,371 in Classroom Grants! This year, the Foundation awarded 8 Classroom Grants totaling $10,371 for the 2025-2026 school year.

These exciting new projects are expected to directly benefit 2,429 students across the district. Generous funding from sources like the Foundation's Harvest event, Community Campaign, Staff Giving Campaign, the Richard "Dick" Nabity Memorial Fund, and the Janeth Davis Memorial Fund made this impact possible.

GISH School Store Gets Creative with New DTF Printer Thanks to a GIPS Foundation Classroom Grant, students at Grand Island Senior High (GISH) are getting a chance to create custom items at school. The grant was used buy a DTF (Direct-to-Film) printer for the student-run GISH School Store and the Academy of Business and Communications. The printer can be thought of as a hybrid between a Cricut and a screen printer.

It prints designs on a transfer paper, then the design can be applied to various products. Picture Perfect Productions: Taking School Announcements to the Next Level Thanks to a GIPS Foundation Classroom Grant, students at Stolley Park Elementary are taking their morning announcements to the next level.

The Picture Perfect Productions project is bringing professional media tools to the classroom, giving students hands-on experience in video production while transforming how the school shares news each morning.

GIPS Foundation Invites Teachers to Ignite Innovation with Annual Classroom Grants The GIPS Foundation is excited to announce the opening of its annual Classroom Grants program, empowering dedicated GIPS teachers to bring innovative learning experiences to life for their students.

This vital program funds educational opportunities that extend beyond the district’s general budget, fostering creativity and enriching the academic journey for thousands of Grand Island students. Innovative Learning Experiences Empower our educators and enhance student learning. Your donation to the Classroom Grant program provides additional funding for innovative projects that go beyond the school district's general budget.

Contact the Foundation today if you're considering creating a grant fund to support our schools in a personalized way.