Foundations in Education Announces 6th Annual Grant Cycle
September 2, 2022 | Foundations in Education | General News Newsletters
Foundations in Education is pleased to announce applications to the Innovation and Leadership Grants Program open September 15, 2022.
The grants program promotes excellence in Catholic education by supporting teachers’ creative projects and professional development. Grants funded through this program are for transformative initiatives that may benefit multiple grade levels and have a long-term impact on student learning.
Now in its 6th year, this competitive program was the first of its kind in the diocese to offer innovation and leadership grants to teachers and administrators.
To date, Foundations in Education has funded 104 transformative grants totaling nearly $650,000.
Educators within the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools are encouraged to submit grant proposals from September 15 – October 31, 2022.
A grants committee carefully reviews each proposal and submits recommendations to Foundations’ Board of Trustees for approval. The committee is led by Dr. Julie McNamara, President Emerita of Albertus Magnus College and Foundations’ Board member.
“We delight in having the opportunity to work together as a committee to select projects that are innovative, creative and likely to have tremendous impact on student learning,” shared Foundations in Education Executive Director Holly Doherty-Lemoine. “Dr. McNamara leads us in thoughtful consideration of a competitive grant process.”
Grant Awardee and Dance Program Director at Notre Dame High School, Kristen McAfee, was awarded grant funds this past year to purchase mirrors and barres as training tools to foster artistic excellence, a plan which correlates to the National Coalition for Core Standards for Dance Education.
McAfee shared, “The students in my classes were beyond excited to be able to have more of a dance studio environment and their creative process grew as a result. They created more material this year than in years past!”
“As the dance program director, I feel this grant has recognized the importance of the arts in the school, added McAfee. “As a teacher, it encourages me to continue to create, to mentor and to lead expression through movement from the support given by the Foundation.”
Foundations in Education is an independent non-profit initiative created to assist the Diocese of Bridgeport’s ongoing mission to support Catholic education in Fairfield County by supporting innovation in academic and extra-curricular programs, fostering opportunities for the professional development of school leaders and providing tuition assistance to families in need.
To read more about the grants funded by Foundations in Education, or to find out more, visit https://www.foundationsineducation.org/innovation-leadership-grants.