Beyond Crayons & Computers Grants

The Beyond Pencils and Crayons Grants program is administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to support innovative and creative educational projects initiated by K-12 teachers in Marathon County. The Foundation, a private philanthropic organization, aims to foster community enrichment and learning through targeted funding support. The grants are designed to encourage unique teaching approaches and projects that extend beyond what is typically funded by public school budgets. Teachers in both public and private schools across the county are eligible, provided that their proposed projects align with the Foundation’s goals and meet the program’s specific criteria. The purpose of the grant is to enrich the student educational experience through engaging and motivational classroom activities that also serve a broader communal purpose. Proposals are reviewed competitively, with emphasis placed on their educational value, creativity, alignment with curriculum, and ability to fill an unmet need. Preference is given to projects that are cost-effective, community-focused, and capable of inspiring both students and educators. All proposed activities must be conducted within the current academic year, and the funded materials or equipment will remain the property of the school. The grant awards range from $250 to a maximum of $5,000. Funding is intended for unique and innovative projects and not for general school operations or items that are traditionally covered by district budgets. Therefore, expenses for core curriculum materials, staff salaries, transportation, refreshments, incentives, and rewards are typically not eligible. Successful proposals will highlight both educational and fun aspects of their project while demonstrating prudent use of funds and a meaningful impact on the school community. Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online grant management system. The portal streamlines submissions, evaluations, progress tracking, and final reporting. Teachers interested in applying can access the application at https://cfoncw.org/grants-scholarships/community-grants/. The submission deadline is September 30 each year, with funding decisions communicated by October 31. Awardees must submit a final report within 60 days of project completion or by the end of the school year, whichever is sooner. Grant recipients are also expected to provide photographs and use the Foundation’s logo for promotional or public recognition purposes. The selection committee uses a competitive review process to evaluate submissions based on their alignment with the program's goals, educational impact, cost-effectiveness, and community relevance. Only projects that are clearly distinct from regular school budget allocations will be considered. All applicants must adhere to the Foundation’s nondiscrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, disability, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and other protected categories. Organizations may be asked to provide a copy of their own nondiscrimination policies as part of the application. For questions or further clarification before applying, teachers are encouraged to contact Sue Nelson, Program Officer at (715) 845-9555 or [email protected]. The Foundation also provides general contact support at [email protected]. Applications are accepted annually and are reviewed each fall, making this a recurring funding opportunity for educators in Marathon County who seek to bring inspiring, community-oriented learning experiences to their classrooms.

Highlight innovation, educational value, cost-effectiveness, and community engagement.