YCF Educator Mini-Grants

The YCF Educator Mini-Grants program for the 2025–26 school year offers funding of up to $750 per grant to support classroom projects and learning enhancements not funded by traditional school budgets or central office resources. The goal of the program is to empower educators with additional resources to create meaningful learning experiences for their students in the classroom environment. This opportunity is open to PK–12 educators working in traditional public schools located within the counties served by Your Community Foundation (YCF): Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties in West Virginia. Eligible applicants include teachers of all subjects, counselors, librarians, and school nurses. However, school administrators and central office staff are not eligible. All grant applications must be signed by the school principal. Each educator may submit one proposal, although there is no cap on the number of applications that may come from a single school. The grants may not be used to fund previously completed projects, materials already purchased, or activities outside the regular school day, such as after-school programs or extracurricular activities like sports or band. Additionally, funds may not be used for food, transportation, speaker fees, or gift cards. Educators needing food support are encouraged to contact YCF directly for connections to local food pantries. Applications are accepted from August 4 to September 22, 2025. All applications are reviewed by the YCF Grants Committee. Award notifications will be sent out in early November, and funds will be distributed in mid-November via check made payable to the recipient’s school. Grant recipients must follow their school system’s procedures for managing and using awarded funds. Educators who receive grants will be required to submit a short final report by May 31 detailing how the funds were spent and the outcomes of their projects. Educators who do not yet have an account in YCF’s grant portal must request one by emailing their name, school, and county to the contact provided. Applicants should ensure they select the correct grant program when submitting their application.