Strategic Grants

District 65/ Foundation 65 Literacy Initiative Model

In partnership with District 65, NEIU, and ETHS, we are pleased to fund a fourth year of the Literacy Education Graduate Program Cohort   This program allows educators to obtain their reading teacher endorsement or their masters in literacy with a reading specialist licensure with our pledge to cover 50% of educators’ tuition for this program. Learn more about our program and each cohort here.

Engagement Grants

Perspectives Family Author Series (all schools)

This initiative, led by District 65 librarians, is reimagining the Authors’ Visit. In the call every K-2 student in the District will have a shared experience by having one author visit each K-2 school. Look for family engagement and community events to go with these visits. In future years an author will visit grades 3-5 and 6-8.

Black Girl Magic Book Club (Chute, King Lab, Lincolnwood, Walker, and Willard)

This grant allows the highly successful Black Girl Magic Book Club to continue at Willard, Lincolnwood, and Walker while expanding to King Lab. This grant also continues the middle school version of the Black Girl Magic Book Club at Chute. The program has both empowered District 65 educators to lead students in the work of humanizing Black women and has allowed students to build a positive racial identity while learning with and from one another.  

Kuumba Evanston (all schools)

Kuumba Evanston, serves rising 3rd-8th grade Black boys and girls in an elementary and middle school cohort.  Youth will engage in summer sports and activities while also engaging in intentional literacy and STEM work. Camp Kuumba holds 8 pathways to success for its students: family support, mentorship, education, building healthy relationships, interest exploration, career discovery, financial literacy, and community service. The program expanded to school year time during 22-23 and added a girls’ component.

The Child Withing You Literary Carnival (all schools)

This funding is for a second year of the successful literary carnival. The goal is for children of color to feel empowered through book readings, stories, and activities from leaders similar to themselves. Check out this article for more information about last year’s carnival.

Connecting us Through Culture and Celebration (JEH)

This grant support the JEH early childhood center in offering three multicultural events for the families of their students during the 23-24 school year. As a school that is prohibited (because of funding) from having a fundraising PTA, these funds are needed to better connect families to schools in a preK space.  They plan to provide multiple language options and to accommodate children with sensory sensitivities.

Lincoln Leaders Social Emotional Learning Initiative (Lincoln)

This funding will support SEL (social emotional learning) support for staff and educators within buildings.  This grant is important in supporting the onboarding and restorative practices for staff and will help to better set up a system of support for students.

Advancing Linguistic Content and Learning for Dawes TWI Students (Willard)

This funding will allow up to 6 Dawes TWI educators to attend an upcoming bilingual conference.  Investing in professional development for these TWI educators will allow them to accelerate learning for native Spanish speaking students in the TWI program. Educators who attend will expand their impact by sharing back within the school and PLC’s.

Change Agent Grants

Our Change Agent grants empower educators to innovate and solve on the ground challenges. We are pleased to provide support of up to $3,000 for each of the following one-year projects:

Black SonRise (all schools): This program supports an out of school time program run by Black men to support Black boys through literacy, STEM, and mentoring from across the District.
Makers Exploration (Kingsley): This grant allows the Maker Space concept to reach the classroom level by piloting Maker activities in a K-5 setting at Kingsley.

High Achieving Students of Color Math Program (Dawes): This grant supports struggling students in after school space to come up to grade level in math.

Willard TWI Family Workshop (Willard): This workshop series will be held in Spanish to support native Spanish speaking families in engaging in their childrens’ learning.

Healing and Empowerment Through the Arts (King Arts): This highly successful group therapy for girls of program will run for a second time. This program will allow girls of color to engage in art therapy and collective work to support their learning and emotional well-being.

Rebellious Read Alouds (Orrington): This book series will support students throughout Orrington in reading books that introduce mirrors and windows to their lived experiences.