Fund for Excellence in Education Grants

The Fund for Excellence in Education Grants is administered by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, a philanthropic organization serving Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties in New York. The Foundations support various initiatives that benefit education, arts, health, and community well-being across the region. This grant program is specifically intended to enhance educational opportunities within K–12 classrooms by supporting innovative classroom projects and professional development for educators. The purpose of the Fund for Excellence in Education Grants is to directly benefit classroom learning and help achieve better educational outcomes through teacher-led initiatives. The funding supports projects designed to improve student engagement and academic performance or to foster professional growth among teachers. Funding is not permitted to be used for field trips or after-school activities, ensuring that all expenditures have a direct and measurable impact on classroom instruction. The program offers a variety of grant types. General Grants are available to support classroom-based projects and professional enhancement for teachers, excluding funding toward master's programs or certification requirements. Travel expenses are also ineligible. Additionally, Writing Grants are offered to support either professional development in the teaching of writing or programs that enhance students’ writing skills. Public school teachers may also apply for specialized grants including the Marionette/Puppet Grant, which supports multicultural or interdisciplinary projects involving puppetry, and the Dennis Markle Memorial Community Service Grant, which funds projects connecting students with community service efforts, such as work with senior citizens, veterans, or community beautification. All classroom teachers in public, private, and parochial K–12 schools licensed and certified by New York State within Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties are eligible to apply. The submission process is conducted entirely online through the Community Foundations’ grants portal. All applications are reviewed by the Fund for Excellence in Education Committee, and final decisions are approved by the organization’s Board of Trustees. Each grant award will not exceed $2,500, with the average grant typically ranging between $1,000 and $1,500. Grant recipients will be notified in late January or early February 2026. The deadline for application submission is December 15, 2025. This grant does not recur automatically, nor is it awarded on a rolling basis, so applicants must submit by the annual deadline to be considered. Questions about the grant can be directed to the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley via phone at 845-452-3077 or by email at [email protected]. The Foundation’s main office is located at 25 Van Wagner Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.