McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation (MDEF) Grants

McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation (MDEF) Grants is sponsored by McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation. Supports innovative projects in education, including those focused on special education, in the McCall-Donnelly area.

Home - The McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation Great schools start with supported teachers. Your Idaho Gives donation helps the McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation provide classroom grants, resources, and support that empower educators and enrich student learning and students’ lives. An advocate of educational excellence We secure funds and other resources to build a better future for the children of our district.

As an active partner, we support the McCall-Donnelly schools in “educating students for life”. 2026-2027 Grant Application is closed. Look for next year’s application in early December, 2026.

Idaho consistently ranks as one of the lowest in per capita spending for public education. mdef aims to help bridge that gap by providing educational grant funding to local educators to date, mdef has awarded Our vision is an engaged community committed to helping children reach their highest potential through innovative educational experiences.

To accomplish our vision, the McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation serves as an advocate and catalyst for educational excellence. We secure and provide funding, and engage and mobilize our existing community assets to enhance learning opportunities for children.

MDEF, a nonprofit 501(c)3 foundation, was established in 2006 by a committed and concerned group of citizens, who cared about our children, to address the increasing shortfall in public funds available to maintain the margin of excellence essential for our students to succeed and excel in our global society. Since its inception we have donated more than $500,000 to the McCall-Donnelly School District and area non-profits.

As a result of our fundraising efforts, the school district and educational organizations in our area have been able to fund critical programs and materials in our local schools. The McCall Arts & Humanities Council’s Children’s Theater program will offered two 6-week after school theater workshops for students in grades 4 through 8, twice weekly.

Students received experiential education in acting, improvisation, verbal and non-verbal communication and teamwork. Workshops will be supplemented by auditions and a full eight-week theatrical production culminating in six performances during the winter. This program will also serve to pull together students, educators, parents and community organizations.

Overall, 60 students were directly involved and up to 300 participants indirectly impacted by performances throughout the district.