Hart Elementary
Weaving Wisdom
Ms. Zuñiga brought cultural storytelling, math, and art together through a weaving unit that transformed how her students saw themselves as learners.
Read the story →
For EducatorsA grant can change
A grant can change
everything.
A Note of Gratitude
Thank you for the care, energy, and dedication you bring to Austin ISD classrooms every single day. You are shaping Austin's future, and we are incredibly proud to stand by you.
Inspire the Future Grant Program
Austin Ed Fund is offering its Inspire the Future Grant to support Austin ISD students, staff, and families. This grant opportunity encourages educator-led, collaborative projects that focus on strategies to enhance learning opportunities in schools. These projects will also address inequities that have impacted historically underserved communities.
Application Resources
Ready to apply? Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Inspire the Future Grant application — timeline, requirements, funding, and budget guidelines.
Application Timeline
May 1, 2026Application window opens
June 19, 2026Application deadline
July 27–30, 2026Award notification & grant agreement
August 3–7, 2026Award disbursement begins
Core Application Components
Opportunity for Change
Describe the community change you're hoping to create, including demographic data, the historically underserved groups you're serving, and supporting evidence.
Project Goal & Description
Detail your implementation plan, learning objectives aligned to a focus area (College & Career Readiness, Educator Experience, or Literacy), activities, timeline, and evaluation methods.
Collaboration
Share your plan for engaging teachers, staff, leadership, families, and community partners to broaden your project's impact.
Evidence of Tangible Impact
Explain how you'll measure success — surveys, data collection, assessments, and alignment to your stated project goals.
Sustainability
Outline your plan for continuing the work after the grant period ends, including additional funding sources, community partnerships, and systemic changes.
Funding
Total Available$500,000
Classroom ProjectsUp to $2,500
Collaborative / Campus-WideUp to $10,000
Multi-Year ProjectsAllowed, up to two years
Lead / Co-Lead Stipends$250 per lead, deducted from the award
Budget Guidelines
Use an itemized budget template that references Austin ISD's Strategic Supply Agreement for vendors, and work with your school bookkeeper on technology purchases, software reviews, construction work, gift cards, and funding timelines.
In Scope
- Field trips
- Academic materials
- Professional learning
- Family engagement
- Food and function pay
Out of Scope
- Salaries
- Facility improvements
- Technology typically covered by public funds
- Event sponsorships
Documents & Links
Grant Guidelines
Eligibility & Priorities
All Austin ISD staff are eligible to apply for the Inspire the Future Grant.
We prioritize projects that:
- Are led by campus-based staff and directly impact students, staff, or families
- Benefit historically underserved populations
Project Focus: College & Career Readiness
College and Career Readiness helps students and caregivers think about the future by learning different pathways and options, at all stages and ages.
Past Projects
- Off to College (Odom ES)
- ESports Team (Gorzycki MS)
- Women Who Weld (Navarro ECHS)
Project Focus: Educator Experience
Educator experience is a set of perceptions that teachers and staff have about their experiences at work in response to their interactions within the school and/or district culture.
Past Projects
- Mentoring Novice Teachers Through a Co-Teaching Model (Winn Montessori School)
- Wings Up, Wellness Up! (Akins ECHS)
- Bringing Our Mission to Life: Connecting Cafeteria Staff to Sustainability, Global Flavors, and Personal Wellness (AISD Food Services)
Project Focus: Literacy
Literacy is the use of spoken and written language to express ourselves, learn about the world, and influence others.
Past Projects
- Vamos a Escribir Juntos (Houston ES)
- Eastside Battle of the Books (Eastside Early College HS)
- Just Like Me: Obtaining Library Books That Represent Students With Disabilities (AISD Department of Special Education)
Other Innovative Ideas
Have an idea that doesn't fit neatly into one of our three focus areas? We still want to hear it. Examples of projects we've funded outside the focus areas include:
- Food bank initiatives providing basic-needs resources
- Community-building activities following campus consolidations
- Mental health and wellness hub services
Review Process
Applications are reviewed using a common rubric by a mix of Austin Ed Fund staff, teachers, community members, and board members. Reviewers score proposals against six criteria, with bonus points available for projects that align with our funding priorities:
- Project Focus
- Opportunity for Change
- Project Description, Evaluation, and Budget
- Collaboration
- Evidence of Tangible Impact
- Sustainability
Responsibilities of Grant Recipients
Grant recipients agree to:
- Implement their project following district safety protocols
- Use funds as intended in the approved application
- Evaluate the project's impact
- Fully implement the project within one year (or two years for multi-year grants)
- Submit a mid-year narrative report by January 31
- Submit a final narrative and financial report by June 30
- Participate in a spring semester showcase meeting
- Notify Austin Ed Fund of any project changes
- Return any unused funds
Grants in Action
See what's possible when educators dream big.
Every grant tells a story. Here are a few of the extraordinary educators who brought their classroom visions to life with support from Austin Ed Fund.
College & Career Readiness
College Discovery Tours
"Without the Austin Ed Fund funding, we would never have been able to afford a charter bus to take our AVID 8th graders to Houston — a huge piece of what made 8th grade memorable for them."
See all winners →
2025 Grant Recipient
Together We Learn
"Because of your funding, we were able to provide dinner, incentives, and childcare so our families could attend parent nights. You gave an everlasting gift to the Dobie community."
See all winners →Grant FAQs
My idea doesn't fit into one of the three focus areas. Can I still apply?
Yes! We will prioritize projects that fit into one of the three focus areas. However, we will strongly consider funding creative projects that don't quite connect to the focus areas.
If my project is awarded, how soon will funds be available?
The process of transferring funds to campuses and departments will begin August 3–7. It may take several weeks for the funds to appear in your campus or department account.
What if my project is not awarded? Are there other resources out there?
If your project is not awarded through Austin Ed Fund, you may consider applying for an external grant opportunity or using an AISD-approved crowdfunding source, such as DonorsChoose or Follett Destiny.
Will all projects that get awarded receive the full amount requested in their application?
All projects go through a robust review process. Some projects will receive full funding, while others will receive partial funding.
How can I access my funds and start purchasing?
It may take some time for campuses to receive their funds in their Graystep account. Reach out to your campus or department contact for guidance on accessing and spending your award.
Which vendors can I use to purchase budget items?
Reference Austin ISD's Strategic Supply Agreement when creating your budget, and contact the Contracts & Procurement Department with additional questions.
I have another question that's not on this list!
Contact cecilia.gutierrez@austinisd.org for additional inquiries.
Teacher Resources
College Visit Toolkit
Take the guesswork out of planning life-changing trips.
Want to take your students to explore postsecondary possibilities? Developed alongside the Office of Innovation and Development, this toolkit is your one-stop resource for organizing successful, inspiring campus visits.
Coming Soon
Crowdfunding for Austin ISD
Want to bring a great idea to life in your classroom?
Crowdfunding is a fast, community-driven way to raise small online donations for school supplies, unique projects, and campus events. To give our educators flexibility, Austin ISD officially partners with two major platforms:
- DonorsChoose — Best for requesting specific classroom materials and books shipped straight to your school.
- Follett Destiny — Best for campus-wide projects, PTAs, and booster clubs, allowing you to keep all funds raised.