The Impact Teaching Grants Program of the Hood River County Education Foundation (HRCEF) provides funding to teachers, staff, district employees, and students in the Hood River County School District for innovative educational projects. The program aims to enrich student learning by supporting new approaches to teaching, exploring unique areas of study, or implementing creative instructional methods. Applications for the 2025 Impact Teaching Grants are open from November 1, 2024, to January 13, 2025.
The program seeks projects that offer direct academic benefits, support staff development, or provide non-academic learning opportunities. While HRCEF prioritizes innovative and creative ideas, grants can also fund items or concepts that significantly enhance student learning even if they are not groundbreaking. Applications are evaluated for cost-effectiveness, with preference given to projects involving collaboration between two or more educators, maximizing impact and resource efficiency. Educators are encouraged to seek additional external funding to further leverage the Foundation’s support.
Grants are capped at $2,000 per applicant. If multiple applicants collaborate on a single project, the total requested amount may exceed $2,000, provided it does not exceed $2,000 per named applicant. Funds cannot be used for projects covered by the district or school budget, fee-based programs, facility improvements, salaries, field trips, travel expenses, or food (except as ingredients for relevant coursework).
The program is supported through community fundraising, donations, and events, ensuring the Foundation can respond to the increasing needs of educators. Past recipients have used the grants to implement impactful projects that have enhanced learning experiences for students.
For additional information or assistance, applicants can contact HRCEF at ed.foundation@hoodriver.k12.or.us or (541) 387-5713. Applications can be submitted through the HRCEF website, where details about past grant recipients and the application process are available.
