Programs

Fund a Grant. Empower A Teacher.

“For me, PCEF is the first to help. We all have a lot of tools that were initially given by PCEF before the school or district budget covered them for a whole department. These tools make the classroom more alive and engaging, and help us give the big picture.” - Debra Alcox, PCHS Math Teacher

Scroll down to see the 2022/2023 Classroom Grants

ABOUT

After parents, the number one influence on student success is the classroom teacher. 

PCEF was born in 1986 when a PCHS classroom teacher asked for a grant to send two of her students to a space camp at Stanford. PCEF donors have been funding educators' dreams of a better classroom experience for their students ever since.

Classroom Grants are awarded to teachers to bring innovative ideas, concepts, or practices to life, or expand past successful ideas in the classroom or school. Teachers (and administration!) get to conceptualize and then try new things - unique learning activities, innovative technology. Money is allocated to programs that focus on creativity and innovation, the whole child, and academic success. Classroom Grants requests are awarded in the spring for the following school year, and have a maximum of $45,000 per grant.

Express Grants are awarded to teachers for last minute needs and may be requested for up to $1,000. As the name implies, Express Grants have a very short turn-around and exist to fill immediate classroom needs. 

If you are a PCSD educator looking to apply for a grant, please click HERE.

TEACHER & STUDENT IMPACT

Classroom Grants have become a timeless, integral, and beloved PCEF building block. They provide funding for Park City educators to bring innovative ideas, concepts, or practices to life -- or expand past successful ideas in the classroom or school. Teachers - and administrators! - get to conceptualize and then try new things, unique learning activities, and innovative technology. 

To ensure educators have enough runway to implement their vision, approved grants are worth up to $45,000! After an in-depth application process, Classroom Grants are evaluated by a participatory committee made up of educators, current and former students, PCEF staff, and key community stakeholders. The team agrees on funding for programs with a focus on creativity and innovation, the whole child, and academic success. 

Classroom Grant funding helps these ideas gain traction and thrive within a school. PCEF then often steps in to help find other funding sources over time - which means successful initiatives can expand, reach more students, and achieve even more impact. 

“The most important people in schools are teachers. The rest of us are support. Because of that first-hand knowledge and expertise, teachers are in the best position to identify new ways to engage students in learning.” - Bob Edmiston, Principal, MPES  

PCEF DONOR IMPACT

Classroom Grants, PCEF’s longest-running program*, launched PCEF into existence in 1986, with a single STEM-focused grant for $2,000.

Since that very first Classroom Grant, PCEF donors have funded more than 840 grants to classroom teachers (plus about 150 Express Grants!). That means: hundreds of thousands of dollars – every single year – are funneled DIRECTLY into the classroom.

Classroom Grants fund incredibly impactful programs like Latinos in Action (LIA), Makerspaces, Mindfulness and Wellness, Afterschool STEM & Science, Before School, and Tuition Assistance for PCSD Preschool.

Some, like LIA, are longtime grant recipients: LIA has received funding for 12 years! Others, like the Before School Program at McPolin and Parley’s Park Elementary Schools, were pilots in the 2021/22 school year. All of them are programs in line with PCEF’s mission to inspire all Park City students to successfully reach their academic and lifelong potential.

Classroom Grant applications for the 2022/23 school year had an increase of 161% from the prior year. The need was so great that the PCEF Board of Trustees increased funding by more than $110,000. This made it possible for educators to begin the school year with nearly $460,000 to launch, expand, or maintain Classroom Grant programs. 

45 Classroom Grants were awarded for '22/23, with a total value of $458,455 - the highest amount in the history of PCEF. 

*formerly Teacher Grants

2022 - 2023 Classroom Grants

CLASSROOM & EXPRESS GRANT STORIES