ANNUAL EDUCATOR GRANTS
Teachers, educators, staff members, para-educators - MFEE wants you to apply for a grant!
Each year, MFEE awards approximately $60,000 for your big ideas.
2025 Grants
Calendar
August 28 Application window opens.
November 4 First round applications due.
December 5 First round award notifications emailed.
Click here to accept your award and order.
UPDATE FOR THIS YEAR:
MFEE will accept grant applications on a rolling basis until March 5, 2026. Grants submitted by the 5th of each month (December–March) will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling monthly basis until the deadline or until grant funding has been exhausted.
MFEE offers four annual grantmaking programs
Each year, IdeaLab Grants will invite Montclair Public School teachers to bring a shared educational theme to life through bold, creative, and student-centered ideas. These grants are designed to tap into your expertise, amplify your voice, and support innovative approaches that spark deeper, lasting learning.
By exploring a common theme together, we not only fuel individual classroom innovation — we create a ripple effect across the district. IdeaLab is more than a grant; it’s a collective movement of educators inspiring each other, reimagining teaching, and making meaningful learning experiences for all students.
This year’s grants will fund innovative and sustainable projects that teach civics to learners of all ages and across content areas. In a time when students are surrounded by complex social and political issues, high-quality civics education helps them develop the skills to think critically, participate respectfully, and take action responsibly.
We invite proposals for projects that help students understand and actively engage with the principles, processes, and responsibilities of civic life. Projects may explore how government works, encourage participation in democratic decision-making, build skills for respectful dialogue, or connect students with local community issues. The goal is to inspire informed, responsible, and empowered citizens—now and for the future.
Minimum Criteria
Proposals evaluated on:
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Quality of the application,
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Demonstrated need for the project
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Sustainability
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Extent to which it presents a creative way to enhance curricula
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Staff encouraged to collaborate
Award Amounts
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Range from $90 - $2,000.
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MFEE awards partial funding in many cases.
Technology Guidelines
Technology-related items are reviewed with the District Technology Coordinator. Technology requests must be directly tied to curricular objectives.
Items MFEE Does Not Fund
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Class trips or school-wide assemblies.
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Snacks or food to be served during the project.
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Substitute teachers.
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Teacher stipends to enable participation in the project unless the program requires a significant time commitment outside of normal school hours.
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Consumable, one-time-use items, such as tshirts, pens, pencils. MFEE will consider some consumable items that are critical to the delivery of an innovative project.
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All furniture, including but not limited to flexible seating, chair cushions, bean bag chairs, rugs, bookshelves, desks, tables, chairs, dividers, whiteboards.
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Laminators.
Download a blank application for review only:
What are some topics that a grant proposal focused on civics education could include? (The list below is not exhaustive; this topic is broad and all ideas are welcome.):
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Exploring students’ roles, rights and responsibilities as citizens in their classroom, their community and their country
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Integrating community service with classroom learning
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Engaging students in mock elections, debates, and other activities that mimic democratic practices
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Developing skills to discuss and analyze complex social and political issues in a respectful and informed manner that considers multiple perspectives
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Helping students understand how to critically evaluate information found online and engage in responsible online discourse
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Connecting civics lessons to historical events and exploring the evolution of democratic ideals
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Examining different forms of government and political systems around the world
Educational Excellence Grants are awarded to Montclair Public School faculty for innovative and sustainable projects that will have a direct impact in the classroom.
Minimum Criteria
Proposals evaluated on:
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Quality of the application,
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Demonstrated need for the project
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Sustainability
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Extent to which it presents a creative way to enhance curricula
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Staff encouraged to collaborate
Award Amounts
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Range from $90 - $1,000.
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Average grant size is approximately $600.
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MFEE awards partial funding in many cases.
Technology Guidelines
Technology-related items are reviewed with the District Technology Coordinator. Technology requests must be directly tied to curricular objectives.
Items MFEE Does Not Fund
-
Class trips or school-wide assemblies.
-
Snacks or food to be served during the project.
-
Substitute teachers.
-
Teacher stipends to enable participation in the project unless the program requires a significant time commitment outside of normal school hours.
-
Consumable, one-time-use items, such as tshirts, pens, pencils. MFEE will consider some consumable items that are critical to the delivery of an innovative project.
-
All furniture, including but not limited to flexible seating, chair cushions, bean bag chairs, rugs, bookshelves, desks, tables, chairs, dividers, whiteboards.
-
Laminators.
Download for review only a blank application here:
Social and Emotional Learning Grants are awarded to Montclair Public School faculty for projects that enhance students' social and emotional competencies, including their ability to manage emotions, develop positive relationships, and show empathy for others.
Minimum Criteria
SEL Grant Proposals will be evaluated on:
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Quality of the application,
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Demonstrated need for the project
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Sustainability
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The application squarely addresses one of the 5 SEL core competencies: self- awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making. The proposal clearly articulates how the project will directly impact one of these areas.
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The application conveys a new idea that may not have been tried at all or in this way before, and/or addresses a specific, compelling SEL need.
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The application clearly articulates the potential to impact student learning in a significant way. The potential benefits are clearly conveyed.
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Staff are encouraged to collaborate.
Award Amounts
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Range from $90 - $1,000.
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Average grant size is approximately $700.
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MFEE awards partial funding in many cases.
Technology Guidelines
Technology-related items are reviewed with the District Technology Coordinator. Technology requests must be directly tied to curricular objectives.
Items MFEE Does Not Usually Fund
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Class trips or school-wide assemblies.
-
Snacks or food to be served during the project.
-
Substitute teachers.
-
Teacher stipends to enable participation in the project unless the program requires a significant time commitment outside of normal school hours.
-
Consumable, one-time-use items, such as tshirts, pens, pencils. MFEE will consider some consumable items that are critical to the delivery of an innovative project.
-
All furniture, including but not limited to flexible seating, chair cushions, bean bag chairs, rugs, bookshelves, desks, tables, chairs, dividers, whiteboards.
-
Laminators.
Download for review only a blank application here:
Greenwald Professional Development Grants are awarded to Montclair Public School faculty for professional development that strengthens their skills to improve student achievement. These grants are awarded in memory of beloved educator Marcia Greenwald.
Minimum Criteria
Greenwald PD Grant Proposals will be evaluated on:
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Quality of the application
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Demonstrated need for the project
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Sustainability
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The PD experience requested represents a new idea that may not have been tried at all or in this way before, and/or addresses a specific, compelling need. It clearly articulates the potential to impact student learning in a significant way. Applicants are required to check with the building principal that this PD does not qualify for district funding.
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Clear articulation of how the applicant will share lessons learned with colleagues either through grade-level, school-wide or department meetings or district-wide PD days.
Award Amounts
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Awards range from $75 to $400.
Items MFEE Does Not Fund
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Teacher stipends to enable participation in the project unless the program requires a significant time commitment outside of normal school hours.
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Travel, lodging, materials, and other expenses.
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Courses required in order to obtain an advanced degree.
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Programs occurring during the school day and/or that require the hiring of a substitute teacher.
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Renewal grants for annually occurring workshops/conferences are not encouraged.
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Membership fees for professional associations.
Download a blank application for review only:
