Teacher & Staff
Grants
Do you know those times when teachers or students get together and start dreaming out loud about improving their schools and someone says, “Wouldn’t it be great if…”? or “you know what our school needs?”
DEF Grants were meant to fuel THOSE ideas, both big and small. DEF understands that our teachers and staff know how best to reach ALL of our students in creative and inspiring ways, and we want to support as many of those ideas as possible.
With these grants we hope to support single-year projects and/or provide seed funds for pilot projects that can then be continued by CSD, PTAs/PTOs, or the schools.
This year DEF will hold two grant cycles for Teachers & Staff:
2026 1st Semester Grant Cycle:
Grant application cycle opens: Wednesday, August 29th
Grant application closes: Friday, September 18th
Grant winners announced: Friday, October 2nd
Presentation of Grant awards: Wednesday, October 7th
2027 2nd Semester Grant Cycle:
Grant application cycle opens: Wednesday, October 7th
Grant application closes: Friday, January 22nd
Grant winners announced: Friday, January 29th
Presentation of Grant awards: TBD
We want to hear about your ideas-big and small!
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Grants requests can include:
Innovative Classroom Ideas
School Travel/Field Trip Requests (Financial Need required)
Professional Development
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Grant must be submitted by a CSD Staff Member.
Projects must be approved by School Principal and Wilson Center Staff must have support of their Director.
All CSD Funding Options must be exhausted first.
Travel and Field Trip Requests must show a financial need for students attending. (Example 100 students attending 10 requested financial support.)
Winners must agree to list DEF as a sponsor of your event!
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It varies based on the project submitted, but historically awards range from $200-$3000.
Application
Any teacher or staff member in the City Schools of Decatur is eligible to apply for funds! We can’t wait to hear your ideas.
On October 7, 2026, Decatur Education Foundation put $40,144.00 into our community with the first cycle of our 2026-2027 Teacher and Staff grants.
College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center:
Adding Yoto to the CH Library for Early Literacy Engagement
Clairemont Elementary School:
Fall Musical: The Lion King
Georgia School Counselor Association Conference
Glennwood Elementary School:
From Regulation to Readiness: Executive Functioning Foundations
Glennwood STEAM Night
SEL Playground Mural
Westchester Elementary School:
After School Writing Club
Empowering Learners: Screen-Free Innovation
Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School
Fiber Arts Club
Let’s Wobble!
Operation Cuisine Gastronomique
Scholars on the Ave
STEAM Night: Igniting Young Minds Through Ecosystems, Engineering, and Sustainable Innovation
Talley Upper Elementary School:
Adaptive Field Trip to Rock Eagle
Zen Den Expansion and Upgrade
Seated for Success/Flexible Seating
Beacon Hill Middle School:
Beacon Hill Beekeeping
Chess Club
BHMS Poetry Slam
Media Literacy through Journalism
Printmaking Press
Library Morning DIY Studio
Net-Zero Eco Home Challenge
Pantry to Personal Care
NCTE Conference
Hydroponic Tower Garden
Decatur High School:
Books for Students in Need
The Welcome Cup
YLOE Dinner and Arts
Real Estate Career Launch: WBL Pilot Program
Solar Sketches
World History through Chess
The Ultimate Creative Tool - 3D Print/Laser Cut
PACKalades
Decatur Diamonds Dance Team
DHS Chess Club
Practical Life & Culinary Skills for Adaptive Learning
Rocket Launch!
Multiple Schools:
2027 Yes I Can Awards