Grant Program FAQs & Tips

What is the Shakopee Educational Endowment Foundation’s Teacher Grant Program?

Each year, staff at Shakopee Public Schools submit grant requests for enrichment projects that align with the Foundation’s mission “to preserve and enhance the quality of education in the Shakopee School District by funding projects that provide innovative learning opportunities for our students.” SEEF grants bring creative ideas to life and enhance student learning across all schools and curriculum areas.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any teacher, administrator, staff member employed by Shakopee Public Schools, or student collaborating with a teacher can apply for a grant. Individuals may submit one request per grant cycle. However, individual applicants may also participate in a separate group proposal, provided they do not identify as the lead applicant for both proposals.

How do I apply?

Review the 2025-26 Grant Guidelines & Criteria to ensure your project idea complies with Foundation requirements. Getting support for your idea from your principal or supervisor is helpful. Be aware of application deadlines and allow extra time for approvals or revisions. Proposals for technology-based projects must receive approval from the Director of Instructional Technology to ensure the school district supports the equipment or software. A technology-based project includes plug-in equipment interacting with the building network, hardware, or software. Complete the grant application Google Form by answering all the questions, adding your Project Budget Form file, and agreeing to the grant proposal submission requirements.

Are there certain types of expenses the Foundation will NOT consider for funding?

SEEF has limited funding each grant cycle, and we prioritize projects that will significantly impact student learning. Non-permissible expenses include transportation for students and staff, childcare, classroom furniture and furnishings (e.g., rugs and pillows), food or beverages, prizes and incentives, and classroom amplification equipment. Grant funds are not available for professional development or substitute teachers. Grant projects exceeding the $2500 limit without prior request for special consideration and projects requiring ongoing grants from SEEF are not eligible for funding.

Should my budget figures on the application form request the project’s minimum or maximum cost amount?

Specifying the exact amounts needed for your project to succeed is crucial. Complete the “Project Budget Form,” itemizing all materials, equipment, shipping, supplies, etc. Show specific costs, not estimates. 

Is there someone I can contact with questions or to vet my idea?
If you want to discuss your project idea before completing the application, contact: 

How does the grant evaluation process work?

SEEF board members review grant proposals individually using the Foundation’s Grant Review Scoring Rubric to help them stay consistent, minimize personal bias, and provide a valuable reference for everyone involved. The board looks for three elements in its evaluation: innovation, educational goals, and student impact. Proposals rich in all three are most likely to be considered for funding. If questions arise following the review, the applicant or appropriate administrator is contacted for clarification.  

The board meets as a group to discuss rankings based on the rubric, learn new details about the proposed projects, eliminate proposals that do not meet SEEF requirements, and discuss the merits of applications. While the board utilizes the rubric for its discussions, it may also consider other factors unique to particular requests.

Do you have any specific advice or tips for grant applicants?

  1. Some application questions require more thought and longer answers. Consider writing your responses to those questions in a separate file and then pasting them into the Google Form when you are ready to complete the application. (Use the Grant Application Overview to help you choose which questions to complete in advance.)
  2. Google Forms automatically saves a draft of your progress for 30 days. However, autosave does not work if you are offline or not logged into your Google account. You will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting your application form.
  3. The summary statement of the application should reflect a final product that SEEF can use in promotional communications.
  4. SEEF has funded many projects using plastic totes over the years. If your project requires bins of any kind, before including them in your budget, please check with the administration in your building to see if there are totes in storage at your school.
  5. Browse the previously supported grants lists on the SEEF website to understand what the board will likely fund.

When are decisions on grant awards announced?

Grant applicants will receive an email on the status of their proposal by the first week of November.

If my project is approved, how do I claim the grant funding?

Following grant approval, grantees receive a confirmation letter and a personalized Grant Claim Form providing detailed information on processing their grant funding. Your building’s administrative assistant and the school district’s Finance Department manage grant funds using district purchasing and SEEF grant reimbursement procedures. SEEF writes one check to the district to cover all expenses for approved grants.

What happens to the materials and equipment purchased with SEEF funds?

Identify and label materials acquired through a SEEF grant as “Funding provided by the Shakopee Educational Endowment Foundation.” Labels are available upon request. Materials or equipment purchased using SEEF funds belong to the school and the district, not the grant recipient.

Can I promote my grant award on Facebook?

If you post pictures or information about your SEEF grant on a personal or school Facebook page, please tag SEEF’s Facebook page (Shakopee Educational Endowment Foundation) to help us promote your grant and the work SEEF does.