Grants Supporting Kids
- Grants for educators promote innovative projects and provide critical
learning opportunities.
- BEF grants are available, through
a competitive application process, to all Beaverton School
District employees.
- BEF has awarded over $1,609,000 in BEF Kids Count Grants, BEF Classroom Innovation grants, and After-the-Bell Student Success Awards.
- Learn about BEF’s two named funds
Kids Count Grants
BEF Kids Count Grants are grants of $5,000-$10,000 for after-school and summer programs that provide students with tutoring in reading, writing, science or math, and/or enrichment opportunities in science, math and the Arts. In 2000 BEF began offering grants of $5,000-$10,000 for after school and summer programs that provide tutoring or enrichment for students.
2008 BEF Kids Count Grants Awarded. With thanks to the BEF Grant Committee and readers and the generosity of our corporate and community members, the Beaverton Education Foundation was able to award thirteen grants, totaling $113,120. Learn more.
Classroom Innovation Grants
BEF Classroom Innovation Grants range from awards of $500 - $1000 for student-engaged classroom projects during the school year. These grants encourage testing of new approaches to student learning and are especially focused to support hands-on learning experiences.
- Creating works of visual, performing and literary arts and exploring art history, multi-culturism, self expression.
- Natural history, community and cultural field trips
- Experiential learning in the sciences.
BEF has two named funds supporting specific initiatives through the Classroom Innovation Grants. If you are interested in establishing a initiatives fund, please contact Executive Director, Kristine Baggett 503.927.9752.
Here are BEF’s two named funds:
Mike Osborne Awards
The Mike Osborne Memorial Fund supports literacy programs through the BEF Classroom Innovation Grants program. Funded with income from an endowment, the Mike Osborne Memorial Award Fund is used to fund competitive literacy-focused grants, identified through the in BEF Classroom Innovation Grant Program. Grants are awarded annually, range from $500 to $1,000 and must be used to implement literacy-focused innovative classroom projects.
2007-2008 Awardees
- Opal Creek Ancient Forest Overnight
School: Vose Elementary
Award: $1,000
As a culmination of their studies 5th grade students will overnight at the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center. There, students will solidify their academic knowledge as they explore sustainability, ecology, watersheds, astronomy and geology, through hikes, observations, and journaling.
- Life, Literacy and I-Pod Technology
School: Whitford Middle
Award: $997
The Life, Literacy and I-Pod Technology project is designed as an innovative, technology supported, literacy skill building experience for struggling readers in the 8th grade. Students will access the books aurally while reading paperback versions and connect to texts through the creation of multimedia reflection journals, “read aloud” sessions, higher order thinking discussions and written responses.
Dave Gettling Awards
The Dave Gettling Technology Award Fund provides funding for competitive technology-based educational grants. Grants will be awarded annually and will be used to implement innovative classroom projects through BEF’s Classroom Innovation Grants Program.
Awardees
- The first grants will be awarded in the 2008-2009 academic year.
After-the-Bell Student Success Awards
Each year non-competative block grants are awarded to middle schools. The grants fund after-school programs for tutoring and enrichment for students in reading, writing, science, mathematics and the arts. While the academic opportunities are critical for students, the safe, structured school environment provides many students the haven to stay connected to school and interact with positive adult role models.
National research shows that after-school programs improve academic performance and behavior. Educators know that keeping middle school students involved reduces high school dropout rates and principals attest to the value of extended day curriculum that fosters literacy, engaged learning and enrichment. Our evaluation of these programs demonstrates significant and sustainable impact on student achievement during the school day. But current after-school activities exist only because of local contributions and the rare federal grant.
