Waukesha Education Foundation - Grants & Scholarships

Where Does the Money Go?

The Foundation Board has set a goal of raising a permanent endowment of over a million dollars for for the purpose of funding grants and scholarships for students in the Waukesha School District. The philosophy behind an endowment fund is that approximately half of the yearly investment earnings are distributed as grants and scholarships, leaving the principal investment untouched to grow and to continue to fund creative programs for years to come. A one million dollar endowment would allow us to award approximately $50,000 in grants and scholarships each year. So far, the Foundation has collected over $500,000 towards our endowment goal.

Awarding Grants

Each year in the early spring, the Waukesha Education Foundation solicits grant applications from teachers, administrators and staff with proposals for programs for the following school year.

The Foundation awarded its first grants for the 2004-2005 school year.

To date, the Foundation has awarded almost $100,000 in grants to 64 programs that have impacted nearly every school in the District!

For the 2012-13 school year, we have $13,500 available for district projects. We encourage all district faculty and staff to consider preparing a grant proposal. It is easy to apply. Click here to download a PDF copy of our Grant Application and click here for the word version. Proposals are reviewed by a sub-committee of the Foundation Board with input from the District to ensure proposed programs are consistent with District curricula and policies. Successful proposals will meet the following criteria and objectives:

That they be of a dollar amount that is reasonable to fund given the dollars available to fund grants

That in total, programs impact as many kids in the district as possible
That there be evidence of need for the program
That the proposed project is clearly articulated and is feasible within the grant timeframe
That the program show promise of sustainability beyond the period of the grant
That the programs have a clear objective that is aligned with the target areas of funding for the Foundation
That they be of a dollar amount that is reasonable to fund given the dollars available to fund grants
That there be clear measures of success for the programs
That to the extent possible, the grants be spread across grade level, school and department within the district, also considering recipients of grants in previous years
That the grants are in alignment with District standards and policies and not funding activities that should be covered by on-going district operating budgets

Recommendations are made to the full Foundation Board for approval at the May Board meeting, and grant awards for the following school year are then announced.

Click here to download a PDF copy of our Grant Application.

Click here for the word version of our Grant application.

Click here to download tips for preparing a successful grant application electronically.

Click here to submit your completed grant application electronically.

Grant Award Winners

View the grants awarded for each year below!

2010 Grants

Click here for grant info.

2009 Grants

Click here.

2008 Grants

Click here.