Grants
The goal of the Kettering Education Foundation’s Grants Program is to provide certified staff with the opportunity to put creative ideas into practice to enrich the standard curriculum in ways that directly affect students’ day-to-day educational experiences. Please review all the information below to learn more about our grant process and guidelines.
Eligibility
Any certified staff employed by the Kettering School District is eligible to submit a proposal. An individual certified staff member or group of certified staff members who wish to collaborate may make a proposal. Please note that the maximum amount is $1,000 for new individual grants, $5,000 for new group grants, and $1,000 for renewals of both types of grants. Applicants for collaborative projects should designate one certified staff member to be the project leader. This designated staff member will receive all project communications.
Review and Selection Process
The Kettering Education Foundation (KEF) Grants Committee will review proposals and select grant winners.
Notification and Payment
KEF will notify recipients by email. Each grant recipient will sign the letter of agreement confirming the terms of the grant. KEF will submit the grant funds to Kettering City Schools. Awardees will work with the building secretaries/treasurers to facilitate purchases and related payments.
Reporting
Each grant recipient will be required to submit a Final Report form. IRS requirements mandate that receipts or copies of all expenditures be submitted at the conclusion of the project.
**Failure to submit a final report will prohibit consideration of any future grant.
Benefits
Projects should benefit students as fully as possible and should be curriculum based. While research activities are eligible for funding, student benefit must be clearly demonstrated.
Because the Kettering Education Foundation believes that cooperation and coordination between principal and staff members is essential, each application will be submitted to the school principal through the application process.
Awards
Grants will not exceed $1,000 for new individual grants, $5,000 for new group grants, and $1,000 for renewals of both types of grants. Projects must be completed within an academic year, but they may begin and end at any time during that year. Certified staff members are encouraged to coordinate their proposals with other available resources.




Restrictions
KEF must be notified in writing of any status change of a recipient who is awarded a grant. KEF reserves the right to rescind any award it determines to be inappropriate or diminished in impact due to a change in status. GRANT AWARDS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE TO OTHERS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM KEF.
Grant Guidelines
The Kettering Education Foundation will consider projects and/or research activities, which contain one or more of the following curriculum-based goals:
- Test ideas, which improve instruction in the teacher’s content or subject area(s)
- Use non-traditional techniques
- Involve parents in the teaching-learning process
- Broaden cooperation between the community and the school
- Lead to enhancement of the existing curriculum
Application forms must adhere to the following guidelines to be accepted:
- All application forms must be submitted online.
- Supporting documents must be typed.
Generally funds will NOT be used to pay for:
- Major equipment purchases or field trips unless item/trip is a vital component of a larger strategy.
- Capital improvements or renovations
- Replacement of public funds
- Compensation of public school teachers or staff
- Projects which could be accomplished with existing funds
- Expendable items: candy, treats, t-shirts, etc.
2025-2026 Grant Schedule
| Application Opens | Application Closes | Kettering City Schools Receives Funds |
| July 1 | Aug. 22 | Sept. 10 |
| Aug. 25 | Oct. 17 | Nov. 5 |
| Nov. 16 | Jan. 30 | Feb. 11 |
| May 1 (For funds to be used next school year) | June 30 | July 10 |

Ready to Apply?

2025-2026 Grant Final Report
Those who receive a KEF Grant are required to submit a final report by June 1, 2026
