K-12 STEM Education Grants (Marion County Focus)

K-12 STEM Education Grants (Marion County Focus) is sponsored by Various Foundations (e.g., Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation Inc.). These grants aim to close achievement gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years.

Welcome | Public Education Foundation Portal Golden Apple Teacher/Rookie of the Year Portfolio Welcome to the Public Education Foundation of Marion County's Portal Grants for Great Ideas Program - applications open August 11th, 2026 The Public Education Foundation’s Grants for Great Ideas program has awarded more than 1,177 grants to teachers and principals in support of teaching innovation – impacting more than 220,000 students.

Over the course of this program, the foundation has given out $1,828,103 dollars in grants directly to our schools. The Grants for Great Ideas program has enabled us – teacher-by-teacher – to build a community of learners capable of making real improvements in classrooms and schools. Grant applications for the 2026-2027 school year can be submitted online on this portal.

Click here for more information on the Grants for Great Ideas Program. Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program - currently closed The Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program, developed in 1991, honors and rewards excellence in teaching. Each school selects their teacher of the year, who then participates in the selection process.

Each year, school nominate a Teacher of the Year and Rookie of the Year to represent their school. Once the teachers are nominated and complete an online orientation, they can submit their online portfolio on this portal, and then participate in the countywide selection process.

Each year five outstanding teachers are named Golden Apple Teachers and become members of the Golden Apple Academy, a growing association of exceptional educators. Of the Golden Apples, one is named as Marion County’s Teacher of the Year at the Golden Apple Gala. The Public Education Foundation also selects the Rookie Teacher of the Year representing the newest educators in our school district.

The Golden Apple Teacher portfolio process begins after nominees receive instruction for submitting their forms. Click here for more information on the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program. SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS - WILL OPEN SPRING 2027 The Public Education Foundation of Marion County administers a variety of scholarships.

Please check listings below for individual scholarships, criteria and deadlines. You can apply for more than one scholarship, but please make note of all requirements and apply for scholarships whose criteria is applicable to you. Please ensure you have reviewed the information located on our main website page at https://pefmc.

org/scholarships/ Scholarship Donors include corporations, associations, organizations, foundations and individuals who want to create a brighter future by encouraging education. Different scholarship donors have different scholarship qualifications. It is important to thoroughly review each scholarship description and application before applying.

Because we want to impact as many students as possible, we ask that teachers work cooperatively in the application process. In other words, two or more teachers can develop a grant request. All Marion County public K-12 school teachers may apply.

Based on the number of applications, funding requests and availability, award amounts may be limited by school location. All grant requests must be approved by the School Principal. More details about the application process can also be found in our information packet.

When is the Application Due? The deadline is October 3rd, 2025. Grant requests must be submitted using this online portal.

No applications are to be submitted in person or sent via email. If you are selected as a grant finalist, you will be asked to sign a final grant acknowledgment. What Programs Areas Are Allowed / Maximum Grant Amount Funds can be used in seven programmatic: 1.

Increasing Graduation Rates 4. Assisting Low-Performing Students 5. STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) Education 6.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) The maximum grant amount is $5,000 How may the money be spent?

Because our grant program is partially funded through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program (administered by the Consortium for Florida Education Foundations), grant money may be spent only on supplies, printing, curriculum, computer software/hardware, etc. Funding will not be approved for food, parties, recognitions, or awards . Projects need to be results-oriented with clearly defined goals.

Food/Beverage/Entertainment Support of Interscholastic Athletics Computer Software & Hardware Other Equipment (not computers) Tuition/Training/Conferences iPads, iPods, Nooks, Kindles What is the accounting procedure? A check will be made out to the school and be placed into internal accounts.

The school bookkeeper will provide an Account Activity Report at the end of the grant and file a short accounting form at the end of the project and provide proof that funds have been spent on the grant project. All funds must be spent during the school year. Contact Meghan Magamoll at Meghan.

Magamoll@marion. k12. fl.

us if you need help! How will the winning grants be chosen? A committee composed of PEFMC Board Members and community leaders will review grant applications.

Projects are evaluated on their potential benefit to students, the number of students involved, project creativity and innovation, effective use of resources, potential sponsor support and evaluation methods. The review committee will receive blind applications (teacher and school names or references will be removed). This ensures that grant applications are judged on their merit and committee conflicts of interest are avoided.

Based on the number of G4GI applications received and total funds requested, the number of awards granted to each school site may be limited to one per school. We encourage teachers and Principals to work collaboratively in preparation and planning for grant submissions. All grant awards are contingent upon availability of funding through the Foundation.

What is the scoring rubric? Project Overview (25 Total Points) Is the overview clear and concise (free of jargon and extraneous information) (Max 5 pts) Does the project come to life (can you create a mental picture in your mind) (Max 5 pts) Does the overview identify high points of the proposal (i.e. why there is a need, what students will be doing, how this project will impact students).

Do you get a strong sense of why this project is great (Max 5 pts) Does the grant writer provide data that supports the need for the project and discuss the desired outcomes (i.e., this school year, only 35% of the students who are "at-risk" demonstrated learning gains in math. With the supplemental supports that this project will provide, we hope to exceed that number by 10% in the following school year)?

(Max 5 pts) Project Impact (25 Total Points) Targets more than one group/class of students (Max 5 pts) The needs of students are clearly expressed (Max 5 pts) Incorporates more than one curricular area (math, science, tech, art, etc) (Max 5 pts) Integrates into the total curriculum rather than a single stand-alone project (Max 5 pts) Addresses multiple Florida Standards (Max 5 points) Project Description (20 Total Points) Activities are innovative and likely to engage students (Max 5 pts) Timeline outlines specific activities and data (Max 5 points) The project can/will expand beyond 1 class to other students/teachers (Max 5 pts) The project and/or learning experience will expand beyond a single year (i.e. It can be replicated next year with limited funding, the skill set learned/practiced will assist students next year, etc.) (Max 5 pts) Project Assessment (20 Total Points) The evaluation tools are clearly defined and measure learning gains (Max 10 pts) The grant proposal should include how learning gains will be determined (Max 10 pts) All items purchased are realistic and align with the goals of the project (Max 10 pts) This is a blind application form.

On the first three tabs of the application form, please list the school, teacher names and other identifying information. Please do not identify applicants, schools, or communities on the last three tabs on the form. If our grant is awarded, is there any other responsibilty other than implementation and evaluation?

Yes, we ask that awardees document their projects with pictures and/or videos. We also may request selected grantees to deliver a short presentation at one of our Foundation Board of Directors meetings. If your grant is selected for a Board presentation you will be notified a minimum of 30 days in advance of the meeting date.

Awards are granted on a competitive basis. Please make sure to note the following tips and directions and completely answer all questions during the online submission process. Pay particular attention to not request funds for a non-allowable expenditures.

If you are requesting technology (iPads, computers, etc.) you must obtain a quote from the school district. Your school secretary/bookkeeper should be able to help you with this. Check with your school secretary/bookkeeper for a list of approved vendors.

Do not use educational jargon or acronyms in your application as not all grant readers are educators. Follow all directions and submit the online application on time. Please make sure you have discussed your grant with your Principal BEFORE submitting the online application to our office.

By completing the application, you are acknowledging that you Principal is aware of the grant and they approve. If awarded a Grants for Great Idea, you will be required to submit evaluation reports, documenting results based on the goals and objectives set forth in the proposal. Recipients who do not fill out a grant reports by the requested end of year dates will no longer be eligible for Public Education Foundation grant support.

Golden Apple Teacher / Rookie of the Year Portfolio (Closed for the 2025-2026 School Year) Congratulations to the School Based Teachers of the Year and Rookies of the Year for 2025-2026! Teachers – you will complete your online portfolio on this portal to continue to the next round of selections.

Before beginning the online portfolio for Teacher of the Year or Rookie of the Year, please make sure you have reviewed the portfolio questions provided to you ahead of time and prepared your responses. The information on portfolio questions is included in the Welcome Packet you received via email. REMINDER FOR YOUR RESUME - Your resume must be typed in no less than a 10-point font, with at least one-inch margins and a two-page maximum.

The resume will be uploaded into the online portfolio. Beginning with your most recent, list colleges and universities attended. Indicate degrees earned and dates of attendance.

Beginning with the most recent, list teaching employment history, indicating time period, grade level/subject area, descriptions of responsibilities and accomplishments. Identify by county , not by school name. Beginning with the most recent, list any past achievements- academic, professional and personal Beginning with the most recent, list any school or community involvement, leadership or volunteer experience.

Reminder: This section should not include your name or your school location. Also, please do not name your RESUME document using your name in the title. You can work on your online portfolio up until 11:59pm on October 15th.

The Public Education Foundation of Marion County administers a variety of scholarships. Please check the scholarship listing at https://pefmc. org/scholarships/ before beginning your application process.

You can apply for more than one scholarship, but please make note of all requirements and apply for scholarships whose criteria is applicable to you. All scholarship applications require a Grade Report form OR a print out of your Skyward Grad Tracker.

If a student uses the Grad Tracker, it must be stamped/signed by guidance and must include documented community service hours and if you took the ACT and/or SAT please include your highest composite score. If you too another college entrance exam, like the PERT, please include that score. A Portal Tip Sheet is also available to help you navigate the portal.

Students will also have to submit the Student Aid Index Report from FAFSA. Not all scholarships are merit based, but all require the upload. If the student has not received the report, a screen shot of the confirmation email sent to the student showing the estimated Student Aid Index can be used.

Scholarship Donors include corporations, associations, organizations, foundations and individuals who want to create a brighter future by encouraging education. Different scholarship donors have different scholarship qualifications. It is important to thoroughly review each scholarship description and application before applying.

Senior Scholarships opened February 1st, 2026. Scholarship due dates can vary based on different scholarship requirements and deadlines. Click on the "Register" button and complete and submit the registration form.

Login to the program with your email and password. Create your online application/portfolio by going to your Dashboard and using the drop down menue to select the correct program you are applying for. Your application/portfolio can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded.

As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application/portfolio is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application/portfolio by clicking on the icon in the Application/Portfolio Summary section. On completion, save your Application/Portfolio as FINAL.

Download and print a copy of your application/portfolio for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application/Portfolio Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the deadline, you can make the update and resave as FINAL. If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Foundation at 352-671-4167.

Grants for Great Ideas Grants Teacher and Rookie of the Year Online Portfolio Will open on September 28th, 2026 for School Based Teachers and Rookies of the Year September 15th, 2026 @ 11:59pm October 12th, 2026 @ 11:59pm Grants for Great Ideas Program Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program Public Education Foundation of Marion County Meghan. magamoll@marion. k12.

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