Do your students have a BIG IDEA to enhance their school community or serve the wider community? Do you have an individual student with an idea to serve the community or explore a topic via independent research? The Liberty Education Foundation loves supporting student passion projects because:

  • Learner agency encourages enthusiasm for school and lifelong learning.

  • Students are empowered when they realize that they can make a difference in their schools and/or community.

  • Group projects teach the importance of shared vision, collaboration, teamwork and working toward goal.

The most impactful student-led projects begin with students asking, "Can we or what if we...?" after an engaging experience or unit of study!

(The difference between student grants our LEF Grants: LEF Grants allow teachers to request funding to enrich student learning based on their expertise. Students Grants give students the opportunity to take the lead in securing funding for a project they initiate and develop!)

STUDENT GRANT EXAMPLES
Following are examples of student grants we have funded or what we would consider funding:

  • Outdoor Classroom (Grade 5)

  • Campus beautification/ecosystem initiative: install bird feeders, plant shrubs and trees, install trash cans to keep playground and campus free of litter (Grades 2 -3)

  • Music Lab or Writer's Den in library (High School)

  • "Belonging" initiative to welcome new students (suggested Middle School initiative)

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT GRANTS

Primarily for middle and high school students, this opportunity gives individuals the chance to pursue a/an:

  • Project directly connected to a recent lesson, unit or school learning experience

  • Personal passion project or skill development

  • Entrepreneurial Endeavor

  • Independent Research project

  • A combination of the above

 


Application Process

  1. Complete this form with the basic details of the grant idea, and LEF's Program Director will schedule a call with you to discuss the student project idea.*

  2. If the group project is greenlit, you will help students organize into groups with roles to research, budget and plan the project. The students will prepare a presentation to pitch their idea to the Foundation for funding consideration. If the project will be completed by an individual student, we will develop an individual project plan.

  3. We will schedule a time for the students to present their BIG IDEA to the Foundation (you will share with LEF a preview of the presentation so we know what to expect). Ideally, we will be able to surprise the students with a BIG CHECK after their presentation. We will work with you to make the process as quick as possible to maintain student enthusiasm!

*Funding is not guaranteed, and we reserve the right to adjust the Student Grant application process as needed. Once our allocated Student Grant funds for 2023-2024 have been awarded, we will no longer consider applications. Thank you for understanding!

Additional Notes

  • The opportunity to apply for funding through the Foundation is an incredible real world learning experience. Students develop communication, budgeting, research and presentation skills.

  • We can award one grant to a group per school year. If you have multiple groups of students who would be interested in applying for a grant, please contact Lisa to chat through your idea. In most cases we can customize an experience for your group of students.

If you have any questions, email Lisa, LEF’s Program Director, or call x7121.