Dream Big Grant Winners

Grant Opportunities

Grants are available to staff members for training, programs, or projects that benefit student learning and/or performance. Grants are for one-year projects. It is not the intention of the Foundation to continue funding projects, or their replication, beyond one year. Grants awarded through the QPS Foundation are not meant to replace traditional sources of funding for the Quincy Public Schools.

The Fall 2025 Grant Application is currently closed. Please check back in July 2025 for the Spring 2026 grant application. If you have an emergency request, please visit our Emergency Funding application.

RESOURCES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS

Grant Rubric

Introducing a standardized rubric that will be used to evaluate all grant proposals.

This rubric will be used during this grant cycle as a pilot. QPSF will seek feedback from all staff members in May through a feedback survey. You are invited to use the rubric when completing your grant application and when the feedback survey is shared in May, your feedback is appreciated.

The rubric outlines specific scoring areas. By using this structured evaluation tool, we aim to provide clearer expectations for applicants and more consistent feedback.

Submission Checklist

Use this checklist to guide you through the application process.

If you have an urgent need for funding, please see our Emergency Funding Request application.

Fall Grants Timeline
Application periodFebruary 1 - April 15
Grant recipients will be notified on or beforeJune 15
Payouts beginJuly 1
Expenditure timeline should be reported to the Foundation byOctober 15
Receipts and reports due byDecember 31
Spring Grants Timeline
Applications periodJuly 1 - October 15
Grant recipients will be notified on or beforeDecember 31
Payouts beginJanuary 1
Expenditure timeline should be reported to the Foundation byJanuary 31
Receipts and reports due byMay 31

QPS STAFF GRANTS  (Up to $1,500)

QPS Staff Grants are open to all certified and non-certified QPS teachers and staff. Before applying, applicants should receive approval for their request from their administrator and/or direct supervisor.

The QPS Staff Grant is capped at $1,500 to allow for the fairest distribution of available funds to the broadest base of recipients.

DREAM BIG GRANTS (Up to $25,000)

The Dream Big Grant is designed for certified QPS staff members to fund projects over $1,500. Applicants must have the approval of their administrator(s) AND department head at the Central Office in order to apply. The awards are limited to a maximum of $25,000 per grant. Grants are limited to the availability of funds.

Grants awarded through the QPS Foundation are not meant to replace traditional sources of funding for the public schools. Applications for the Dream Big Grant will be given the most consideration if they directly address the Mission of the QPS Foundation and focus on the specific priority areas of the Foundation, which include: Curriculum, Technology, Professional Development, Athletics, and Fine Arts.


AVAILABILITY

Grants are available in areas such as fine arts, foreign languages, elementary education, mathematics, sciences, technology, athletics, health occupations, professional development, vocational education, and other designations. The QPS Foundation Board of Trustees reserves the right to determine if applications for grants fit the appropriate donor designations for funds we have available.


REQUIREMENTS

I. Administrator Review
All applications MUST be reviewed by the staff member’s administrator or supervisor BEFORE submitting to the Foundation. Please make sure that you have discussed your application with your administrator before applying! Some requests, such as those for technology or special education, should also consult those department heads at the Central Office. Applications without administrator approval will NOT be considered by the Foundation.

II. Receipts
Purchases for all grant items must be made through your school's purchasing department, and receipts for purchases are required as proof of due diligence with grants that are awarded. We ask that receipts be turned in to the Foundation by the date specified in your award letter, unless other arrangements have been approved by the Foundation.

III. Final Report
A final report with purchase receipts, photos, and a brief narrative of implementation is REQUIRED. The report may be emailed to [email protected].


SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Special considerations may be given to applicants applying outside the normal schedule if the applicant has extenuating circumstances.

Applicants may RE-APPLY for grants in a subsequent grant cycle if they were denied due to the availability of funds.


Meet the QPSF Grants Committee

Grants Committee

Dream Big Grants in Action: Move, Play, Think! – VERTI-GO!

The Verti-GO Quincy Initiative at The AcademyBy: Katie Rodemich ’02In the fall of 2024, The Academy was awarded an $8,000 grant from the Quincy Public Schools Foundation to launch Move, Play, Think! —a dynamic new program created in partnership with Verti-Go Quincy. The athletic performance facility, founded by QHS alum Tony Douglas ’01 and his…

QPS Foundation Spring Grant Cycle Awards Made

The Quincy Public Schools Foundation approved 12 grant applications, totaling $62,376 in awards for the spring grant cycle.  This is in addition to the $58,411.39 in guaranteed grant funding that was released from the Foundation’s endowment for spending in the 2024-2025 school year and the $89,219 in grant funding awarded for the fall semester. The…

QPS Foundation Awards Over $70,000 in Grants to QPS Schools

The Quincy Public Schools Foundation recently distributed grant award notices for 19 applications, totaling $72,444.34 in approved funding for use in the Quincy Public School District #172. The funds for this grant cycle will be made available after January 1, 2024,  and will be for use in the spring semester of the 2023-2024 school year.…

Questions, comments or concerns?

Email [email protected].