BEFORE APPLYING: Reach out to Nicole Smith, HSEF Executive Director, at nicosmit@hssdschools.org to ask questions, share your grant application idea and receive feedback. This conversation may save you a lot of time and can help determine if your idea is a good HSEF Grant fit. 

Grant Criteria Guidelines-
​Complete Application Here

The Howard-Suamico Educational Foundation (HSEF) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization which solely supports the Howard-Suamico School District and is committed to enhancing the opportunities available to strive for excellence in education. 
HSEF supports new and innovative programs and projects within the Howard-Suamico School District. Parents, students, alumni and staff of the District may initiate these programs and projects. Applications may be for both academic and non-academic projects. Funding of requests is based upon the financial position of HSEF at the time of request. The Foundation reserves the right to determine recipient selection and the level of contribution. 
Innovative Projects:
  • Challenge the status quo
  • Introduce new methods
  • Advanced
  • Original
  • Unique
  • Aligned with District strategy
  • Sustainable beyond HSEF funding
Educational Enrichment:
  • Elevating the educational experience – meaningful, substantial or rewarding
  • Enhancing learning opportunities for students in need of financial support
  • Sustainable beyond HSEF funding
Leadership Development:
  • Supplying the tools to advance student/staff learning
  • Impacts the community, group, or team
  • Enhances the quality of advancement (leadership)
  • Has the ability to influence people (learning from an individual and has the ability to impact a broader spectrum)
Additional Educator Grant Information:
  • Only projects supported by the Superintendent are available to receive HSEF funding.
  • Support of the project by community and school personnel will be taken into consideration.
  • Having other necessary funding sources in place will be positively viewed.
  • Grant award amounts are generally provided for an individual, classroom project or projects that involve multiple classrooms, crosses disciplines, or involves more than one school.
  • HSEF typically provides seed money for creative projects and should not be considered a resource for on-going funding. 
  • HSEF does not reimburse for previously incurred expenses.
  • The HSEF Board reserves the right to modify guidelines on a case by case basis. 
  • No grant will exceed $5,000.
  • Once funding is received from HSEF, a report (oral or written) must be submitted within a year of implementation as to the use and success of the project.  This report should include video or still pictures, including a release for use of pictures in promotional materials and website.  In addition, HSEF should be mentioned as a funding source in any press releases published regarding the project. 

HSEF also accepts Restricted Funds:  Community donations targeted for a specific purpose – pass through of funds.

The Howard - Suamico Education Foundation generally does not fund the following:

  • Staff positions and/or substitute teachers
  • Department, district, state or federal required/mandated curriculum needs
  • Projects in need of continual funding
  • Operational or safety expenditures
  • Field trips
  • Items already purchased
  • Expenses that have previously been part of any budget--local, departmental, state, federal or other
  • Computer software, classroom sets of books and food