The teacher grant program was started in the 1998-99 school year. Since that time grants worth $193.890.98 have been awarded.

Every year all USD 465 employees are encouraged to participate by donating to the Foundation’s Teacher Grants through a special payroll deduction. These donations, along with other USD 465 gifts designated to this program, are distributed through grants awarded in October and March of each school year. None of the donations are used for any expense of the foundation but are given back in the form of grants.

Grant applications are simple to complete and the recipients are chosen by a committee of foundation members. Our teacher grant program helps to fund innovative projects in our classrooms that would not be possible without special funding.

March 2025 Recipients

WHS  MJ Harper  Mic Protection – Sennheiser Body Pack combined with Clountryman Lavalier microphones that will allow for both diversity of performers and potential growth of WHS arts program.

WHS Scott Nuss  Viking Media Trip – Funds to attend JEAN/NSPA National Convention Seattle, WA. This will help students grow as student-journalists, and help work toward more development of the WHS program.

Irving Sally Pipes Greenhouse – This will be an addition to the Outdoor Classroom at Irving

Lowell Katie Hartley Move, wok Breathe – This three step project helps students self-regulate, de-escalate and successfully transition back into the classroom, ready to learn.

October 2024 Recipients

WHS Michael Bumgarner The Link Crew Freshman Orientation program  This will allow consistent communication and increase engagement during training.

Irving/CV Deborah Abernathy  Drying Rack these allow up to 40 projects to dry vertically in the space that two projects would take to dry horizontally.