Innovative Teaching Grants

Purpose: The Innovative Teaching Grants (ITG) program is a Junior League of Memphis (JLM) project designed to improve the quality of life for children by encouraging and supporting excellence in teaching.  The grants will enable teachers to implement original and creative learning experiences beyond the curriculum allocated through school budgets.

Eligibility: This program awards grants to PK-12 teachers in need* in the Memphis metro area.  If you have been a JLM Innovative Teaching Grants recipient in the past, you are ineligible for the 2025-2026 grant cycle.

Focus: Providing our partners and the surrounding community with support where they demonstrate a need, the focus of the 2025-2026 Innovative Teaching Grants will be providing excellent academic and social/emotional instruction.

Funding: The JLM will award grants of up to $2,500.  In addition, each grant recipient will participate in regular check-ins about their grant goals and submit a video that captures: a) project overview, b) impact, c) visuals of how funding was used, d) student/peer feedback and e) how the teacher used this experience to grow.

The Process:

  1. Application Deadline: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025
  2. Grant recipients will be notified no later than: MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025
  3. Checks will be presented: DECEMBER 8 – 12
  4. Projects implemented and goals check-ins conducted by JLM ITG Committee Members:
    DECEMBER 2025 – MAY 2026
  5. Grant evaluations and itemized expenses due to JLM: TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026
  6. Video submissions for JLM ITG Project Recipients due to JLM: FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026

Additional information:

  • In order to meet the qualification of projects that reach school children in need, at least 80 percent of the grant funds distributed will go to schools that meet Title I eligibility within the past five school terms.  The remaining 20 percent may be from schools that demonstrate need in another capacity.
  • In general, funds MAY be used for artist visits to classroom, computer software or applications, technological devices for students and teachers, consumable materials and supplies.  Funds MAY NOT be used for capital improvements, teacher/staff compensation, PPE, cleaning supplies, food or transportation.

For questions, please contact the JLM Innovative Teaching Grants Committee at innovativeteachinggrants@jlmemphis.org.

NOTE: Applicants must download the Project Budget Form and then upload the completed document using the upload link at the end of the application.

 

INNOVATIVE TEACHING GRANTS AVAILABLE:
Grant Category Description Award Amount
Professional Development Professional development must foster insightful and innovative professional training and growth focused on improving teaching practice during at-home or socially-distanced learning; improve practice, curriculum and student achievement. Recipients must put professional leadership into practice by sharing what they learn with their colleagues. Cannot be used to fund a degree. Funds may be used for registration for PD, PD speakers and other professional development expenditures. May not be used for transportation. Up to $2,500
Improving Students’ Social and Emotional Learning Skills Create a plan/project that fosters social and emotional learning in students and aims to expand their comprehension and integration of social and emotional learning knowledge, skills and mindsets across their school experiences. High impact projects that engage 75 or more students are encouraged. May not be used for transportation or other field trip expenditures. Up to $2,500
Improving Students’ Academic Skills Create a plan/project that fosters academic learning in students and aims to improve students’ academic knowledge and skills across their school experiences. High impact projects that engage 75 or more students are encouraged. May not be used for transportation or other field trip expenditures. Up to $2,500

 

Click HERE to view and submit the application.

NOTE: Applicants must download the Project Budget Form and then upload the completed document using the upload link at the end of the application.