Teacher Mini-Grants

The Junior Auxiliary of Meridian is currently accepting applications for its 2025–2026 Teacher Mini Grant program. This grant initiative is designed to support and promote creative, innovative educational projects that contribute meaningfully to student learning and overall educational quality in Meridian and Lauderdale County schools. Recognizing education as a cornerstone of a thriving community, this program invests directly in the ideas and vision of local educators. Teacher Mini Grants are available to teachers, counselors, and librarians employed in public or private schools located within Meridian or Lauderdale County, Mississippi. The application portal opens on September 2, 2025, and closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on September 19, 2025. Applicants may submit only one proposal per year, whether as an author or co-author. Grant amounts range from $250 to $1,000 per project. Proposals must describe instructional projects that incorporate creative methods, integrate multiple instructional approaches (such as arts, technology, or physical activity), and align with the standard curriculum. Projects should also demonstrate measurable instructional value and the potential to positively affect student behavior and engagement. Submissions are evaluated by an independent panel using a standardized scoring rubric. Judges receive anonymized proposals, and any application containing identifying information in the proposal section—such as teacher name, school name, mascot, or location—will be disqualified. Identifying details are only permitted in the applicant information section. Applicants are encouraged to consult the publicly available copies of the application form and scoring rubric in advance to prepare their proposals. Proposals are judged on innovation, integration with conventional instruction, curricular relevance, instructional value, and student impact. Educators with questions regarding the mini-grant process are encouraged to contact the Junior Auxiliary of Meridian’s Projects Chair via email at projects@jameridian.com.

Avoid identifiers in the project section; follow rubric; only one proposal per person is allowed.