Mini Grants Are Used For…
It’s gift giving season and one of the best gifts we know of are AEF Mini Grants for our teachers. Our dedicated teachers often spend their own money on things their students need. In California, teachers annually spend $664 out of their own pockets – more than any other state. This is definitely an equity issue as teachers in wealthy districts or parts of town are more likely to have access to resources than those in less affluent areas. That’s why AEF made the decision last year to shift from the Adopt A Classroom program, where donors directed their funds to specific teachers, to Mini Grants focusing on teachers at Title I schools and special programs.
Often the needs we fill are unique and therefore not covered under traditional budgets. You may have read in our October newsletter about the bicycle we enabled a teacher to purchase for a student in need to enable that student to get to school and work on time. Other unique needs that AEF Mini Grants fulfill include:
- College application fees for low-income students
- A classroom set of calculators for a Title I high school math teacher who currently has to borrow calculators from three different classrooms for class activities or quizzes
- School materials, art supplies, furniture, fidget toys, and educational games for a high school special education class
- Hands on materials, including social-emotional prompt kits, for an elementary school special education classroom
- Snacks and beverages for an after-school study space for at-risk students
Many of the dollar amounts requested are modest, yet the impact is strong. For example, a $70 college application fee is a barrier for many families, but a mini-grant can eliminate that barrier and help level the playing field for that student, potentially enabling a college education that would not otherwise be possible.
cute kids with special needs playing with developing toys while sitting at the desk in daycare center