The Great Falls Public Schools Foundation has restructured its grant program for educators.

During a March school board meeting, Stephanie Becker, foundation director, updated the board on the restructured program and progress made in the second year of implementation.

Becker said the foundation began offering grants for teachers in Great Falls Public School in 2011.

In 2022, the foundation’s program committee thought it was time to do a deep dive of the grant program, looking at historical data.

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That summers, they reviewed more than 260 grant applications that had been submitted since 2011, Becker said.

They knew it was likely necessary to make some changes, she said, so they looked at those past grant applications and surveyed teachers as to what was needed today.

Becker said the foundation received 640 survey responses from teachers, looking at all aspects of their grant program.

They culled through those responses, followed up with some for further feedback and with the historical data, the committee went to work restructuring the program.

She said they learned through the surveys that the large grants were inaccessible for some teachers, since the application process was intimidating to them, but it didn’t mean they didn’t have needs.

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To adjust for that, they created a mini grant program with a lower threshold, making it easier for teachers to apply, and used categories gleaned from the teacher feedback.

The mini grants are awarded on a rolling bases and the large grants were broken into two categories: community collaboration and learning enhancement.

Becker said they’re looking for innovation and the foundation’s role isn’t to supplant the public’s responsibility to fund public education, but they want to be a step above.

Becker told the school board that they knew it would take some for teachers to understand the changes, but they saw the minigrants take off quickly.

From August 2023 to July 2024, they funded 55 minigrants for a total of $32,000.

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The minigrants continued to grow and from August 2024 to January 2025, the foundation funded 66 minigrants totaling $44,000.

“That’s amazing news,” Becker said. “I want you guys to relish in the fact that you have teachers who care about their student and they’re accessing the resources.”

The larger grants took a little longer, but in the spring review last year, they awarded three community collaboration grants up to $10,000 and 13 learning engagement grants for up to $5,000.

Those grants totalled about $61,000.

The foundation did the next review of large grants and in March, the board approved six community collaboration grants and 20 learning enhancement grants for a total of $120,000.

Becker said the teachers are understanding what can be accomplished with the grants and also that the response demonstrates the foundation board heard their feedback.

Among the larger grants awarded this year are a family engagement and literacy program at Giant Springs Elementary School and a learning enhancement grant that will support sixth grade art at Sacajawea, Sunnyside, Loy, Riverview and Whittier elementaries.

The foundation also partners with the Heisey and awarded 20 $1,000 scholarships for teachers to expand their academic learning such as endorsements or their pursuit of a master’s degree.