Over $88k in grants awarded by Foundation for Springfield Public Schools

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools volunteer organization says they are giving out $88,222 in educator grants for the 2025-26 school year.

The grants will go towards projects and resources to help students and educators in the Springfield school district, including funding for District-Wide Grants for large-scale initiatives and the new Impact Grants to address school needs as part of the new Impact Grants program.

"We are thrilled to invest in these incredible initiatives that will directly benefit students and educators across Springfield," said Natalie Murdock, Executive Director of the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. "The launch of our Impact Grants this year revealed a tremendous need at the school level. This is only possible because of our dedicated supporters who are passionate about bridging the gap so every student can achieve academic excellence. Thanks to our generous community, we can help bring these creative ideas to life."

District-Wide Grants awarded for the 2025-26 school year include funding for projects such as:

• Job Olympics: A grant to establish the first "Job Olympics," a two-day competition for approximately 200 special education students from all five high schools to demonstrate post-secondary employment skills and connect with community partners.
• New Teacher Liaison Program: Funding to support a program critical for improving educator retention by fostering a sense of belonging for new hires through a welcome breakfast and ongoing mentorship.
• Equipping Educators: A grant to provide approximately 150 new and new-to-district teachers with essential classroom organization and instructional supplies to help them establish positive, high-quality learning environments.

The Impact Grant program, which funds projects targeted to enhance students' learning environment, was in high demand, with nearly $300,000 in requests, the Foundation for SPS says. Some of the projects part of the Impact Grant program include:

• Twain Elementary: Transformation of an underutilized stage into a modern technology lab, the "Galaxy Space Station."
• Glendale High School: Establishment of the EmpowerHer Closet, a resource providing young women with professional attire for job interviews and career events.
• Mallory Early Childhood Center: Installation of new, inclusive playground equipment.
• Shady Dell Early Childhood Center: Launch of the "Literacy for Lions" program, providing three new books for every preschooler to take home.
• Reed Academy: This grant provides 12 Vasco real-time translator devices to remove language barriers for multilingual students and their families, enhancing communication both in the classroom and at home.

To donate to the Foundation for SPS, click here.