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In the 2024-25 school year, LAEF piloted a new Deeper Learning Grant program for teachers and staff, awarding $20,000 in grants to projects across LASD’s elementary and junior high schools. The program is funded by LAEF’s Endowment Fund, established by the LAEF board in 1997 to provide an income-generated source of funding for projects like the Deeper Learning Grants. No active donation dollars from the annual campaign were spent on Deeper Learning Grants this school year.
The Deeper Learning Grants program aims to:
- Recognize and reward teachers
- Bring deeper meaning to the curriculum
- Improve students’ educational experiences.
The first grants have already been awarded! Find out more.
If you have questions, please email DLgrants@laefonline.org.
DEEPER LEARNING GRANT LIFECYCLE
Think of the lifecycle of a grant in terms of 3 phases:
- Plan
Brainstorm ideas, submit an application, and receive a review.
- Build
If your plan is approved, budget and execute your project, providing reasonable documentation of project milestones and actual vs. expected outcomes with the support of your accountability partner.
- Learn
A retrospective with your accountability partner and a member of LAEF will help gather takeaways to share more broadly for the benefit of the community and other planners.
DEEPER LEARNING APPLICATION PROCESS
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Who Decides?
To ensure an objective grant process, applicant-blind reviews will be conducted by two independent peer reviewers using this simple rubric. There is no minimum target for the number of criteria that are met. Grants will be awarded to Deeper Learning proposals that are compelling, feasible, and clearly defined, regardless of scale or scope. Equity across schools and disciplines may be a consideration.
- What are the timelines for the application?
Applications will be accepted at any time: before, during, or after the following target submission periods:
- For funding expenditures in the 2024-25 school year, the Target submission dates are January 9-17, 2025, and February 6-14, 2025
- After February 28, submissions will be considered for the 2025-26 school year.
Applicants will be notified within 14-21 days of submission.
- How do I apply? I have questions.
Make a copy of this application form in your Google Drive, or download it and fill it out. Once your application is complete, submit it for review using this form. Reach out to DLgrants@laefonline.org with any questions.
- If funded, what are my responsibilities?
Ongoing eligibility for future grants requires completion of these responsibilities:
- Commit to 6-8 week touchpoints with your accountability partner to receive support, guidance, or feedback as needed.
- A form will be provided to help you document your projected budget, milestones, and actual vs. expected outcomes.
- For expenditures for the 2024-25 school year, complete execution by May 31, 2025.
- Upon completion of the project, LAEF will reach out to schedule a meeting to complete a short retrospective (e.g. impact and lessons learned).
Each Deeper Learning Grant can be for any amount, though most proposals are for amounts up to $3,000, and those in collaboration with other teachers or schools are up to $12,000.
See some example projects with resource requirements that are likely to be funded by a Deeper Learning Grant. Barring extenuating circumstances, grants cannot be used to pay for iPods, iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, or food.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please see our FAQs. If you don’t find your answer, please contact us.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES
The LAEF Deeper Learning Grants program does not replace or reduce existing funding sources at your local LASD school. PTA-sponsored Innovation Grants are linked below for your reference.
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