Grants
As of January 2025, over $190,000 has been awarded to educators with innovative ideas to support learning in DASD.
DCEF Grant Opportunities
Learning Grants & Strategic Initiatives Grants
DCEF Learning Grants empower DASD educators to bring to life education related or curriculum related passion projects that impact learning across academic disciplines. Teachers, counselors, administrators and other DASD educational personnel are encouraged to apply. We want yours to be the next!
There are two options for grants: Learning Grants and Strategic Initiatives Grants
LEARNING GRANTS are from one of the funds listed below:
Harper Family Fund for ARTS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES. Using form, sound, color, language and movement, artists help us interpret the past, understand the present and envision a better future. We are looking for grant requests from teachers that help students, particularly the invisible students, feel empowered over their own lives - forming creative, independent, productive citizens of the world. We encourage educators from different disciplines to collaborate to submit projects.
Emily Singleton Teacher Grant Fund for SERVICE LEARNING. Applications must focus on SERVICE LEARNING - LOCAL & GLOBAL. This fund was established in memory of Jeff and Pricilla Singleton's daughter, Emily. She was best known around the district for her music and theater gifts, but she was a tireless organizer for international relief efforts as well.
Kathryn Martinoli Memorial Library Fund in memory of Kathryn Loftus Martinoli who taught in the libraries in the Downingtown Area School District for 26 years, including Uwchlan Hills Elementary School, Bradford Heights Elementary School, and Downingtown Middle School. Applications should improve the library capability by providing written or electronic reading or reference materials, hardware or software for accessing electronic files, or other materials that will aid in the mission of the library or will improve library infrastructure to make the facility more accessible and comfortable to the student population. Applications should not exceed $1,000 and are not generally funded or anticipated to be funded in the DASD annual budget.
For more information see our Learning Grant Application Guide
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES GRANTS - We want to partner with DASD to support our mission of inspiring youth to learn, grow and thrive and engaging teachers, parents, and community to enrich students’ learning experiences. We want to support DASD's strategic plan so we can create and deliver innovative educational programs and maximize resources for the benefit of our students.
Your request must be in support of one of the goals of DASD's Strategic Plan. For more information, see our Strategic Initiatives Application Guide.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE GRANT APPLICATION
Applications are accepted anytime.
Empowerment Mini-Grants for Students
DCEF wants to support you to PURSUE YOUR PASSION and to DO GOOD by offering up to $1,000 mini-grants. What problems do you see in your school or community, large or small, and what are your ideas on how to take action for substantial change? We know you are willing to ask hard questions and find creative solutions. We know you have the courage to think outside the box and make an impact that is greater than yourself. We are grateful for a $10,000 donation from the Singleton Family to the Student Grant Fund.
WHO CAN APPLY? Students in grades 1-12 are eligible to apply.
ELIGIBLE PROPOSALS: Must be for projects that connect what you are learning in school to service and/or the greater good. Not a ‘go-fund-me’ or a donation by the foundation to a worthy charity, but a way for the education foundation to help fund YOU, as you learn new things and imagine a project to help your school, local community or the world. We do not fund senior projects or eagle scout projects. Collaborative requests are encouraged. You will need to find a teacher who will work with you on your idea. Your parent or guardian must also endorse the project.
EVALUATION & SELECTION CRITERIA: Grants are accepted all year long and reviewed on a rolling basis by the Grants Committee. Top rated applications will be funded until available funds are exhausted.
We want to make your great ideas come to life! Please complete mini-grant application form (link below). A member of the DCEF Grants Committee will connect with you and help you through the process. We want to make the process as simple and easy as possible so you can begin to change the world!
For more information see our Student Empowerment Grant Application Guide