Chatham Education Foundation Grant

The Chatham Education Foundation (CEF) offers funding to enhance and enrich educational experiences within the Chatham Central School District (CCSD). Founded in 2002, CEF operates under the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and draws financial support from two endowment sources: the Arts and Humanities Fund and the Alexander M. White Fund. While the Arts and Humanities Fund primarily supports a broad spectrum of projects in the arts and humanities, the Alexander M. White Fund provides support for initiatives across all academic disciplines. The foundation aims to inspire innovation and stimulate learning by providing funds where traditional school budgets may fall short. CEF encourages creative and independent educational ventures that enhance student learning. Eligible projects may include independent study, extracurricular initiatives, visiting artists and speakers, professional development for teachers, field trip programming costs, and innovative technology related to specific projects. The grant funding is meant to supplement existing resources and cannot be used for initiatives that already receive funding from the school district, with the exception of transportation, which the district traditionally covers. Eligible applicants include students, teachers, administrators, visiting artists or scholars, and members of the local community. All projects must directly benefit the Chatham Central School District and will be evaluated individually. New ideas are welcomed, and previously funded projects may reapply. Applications will be evaluated based on excellence, feasibility, and the potential quality of impact within the CCSD community. Notably, the impact assessment prioritizes qualitative value over the number of individuals affected. The grant review process is managed by the Chatham Education Foundation Governing Board, which includes community members, educators, students, and CCSD officials. Their recommendations are submitted to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Board of Directors for final funding decisions. The Foundation maintains a commitment to equity, and neither it nor the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation supports any organization that discriminates based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or religious belief. Award amounts range from $100 to $2,500, with most recipients receiving around $1,000. Funding can cover materials, travel, and associated project costs. While specific application questions or submission instructions are not detailed in the source, all applicants should ensure their project proposals are well-developed and demonstrate meaningful educational value. The current application deadline is October 15, 2025. Although there is no stated opening date, the program appears to operate on a recurring annual cycle. Based on the existing schedule, the next expected cycle will open in Fall 2026. Applicants are advised to ensure that proposals are clearly articulated and align with the Foundation’s goals to enhance education within the district.