INNOVATION GRANTS - Coming Soon
The Innovation Grant Program is designed to encourage, facilitate, recognize and reward innovative and creative instructional approaches, and district programs that will enrich and enhance student opportunity. This program supports employees by providing funds that allow them to employ new ideas for engaging students, technology that enhances student learning, and projects that promote, expand, or enrich student opportunities in a manner consistent with the Foundation’s mission and the strategic priorities of the Aurora Public Schools.
Information for Applicants
1. Application Link – this link will take you to our grant application system. New users should click on “Create New Account” to complete the registration process and create their login credentials.
2. Application Code – when you are logged in, click “Apply” at the top of the page, and you will see a box that says “Enter Access Code”. Type the access code for this application – 1987 – and click on “enter code.”
You should see “APSF Innovation Grant Application Accepting Submissions starting 01/03/2025”. Click the black “Apply” button and start your application! You will be able to save your answers as you work through the application.
3. You can download a PDF of the application questions here.
FAQs
- How will the grant applications be evaluated?
- See rubric to the right
- What are some examples of projects that could be funded?
- Enrichment experiences and materials
- School/classroom garden/outdoor spaces to teach about the environment and sustainability
- Cutting-edge equipment and technology that enhances learning for different student accomodations
- Projects that help to develop student leaders
- Projects and ideas that offer career and skills exploration and work-based learning opportunities
- Educational tools that enhance Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Example: Regulation through Mindful Movement Program has undergone expansion, extending its reach from Altura Elementary to Crawford Elementary. This expansion has allowed us to significantly increase our impact by growing from serving 475 students at Altura Elementary to now benefiting a total of 925 students at Crawford Elementary and Altura. Funds helped secure equipment for the Mindful room, as well as training.
- What are some things that Innovation Grants cannot support?
- Ongoing faculty/staff salaries and benefits (stipends for staff hours spent on projects outside of school time may be considered)
- Professional Development
- Support of individual school PTOs
- Support of sports teams and equipment
- General capital improvements
- Building and grounds operations and maintenance
- Ongoing transportation expenses
- Routine purchases of equipment and supplies
- Administrative and clerical support
- Support of current curriculum, programs, and projects
