Back to School Grants
Have an idea that could make a difference for students? Back-to-School Grants help SPS employees turn impactful ideas into projects that support student success, connection, and learning.
Applications Open: April 6, 2027
Applications Close: June 4, 2027
How Grants Are Evaluated
Applications are evaluated on:
Need: Addresses academic or social-emotional needs and removes barriers to student success.
Impact: Benefits students meaningfully, including the number of students served and potential for continued use.
District Goals: Aligns with the SPS mission and district strategic plan.
Quality: Is well-written, creative, and thoughtfully planned.
Sustainability: Includes a plan for continuing the project after grant funds are exhausted, including future funding if needed.
Application Guidelines
Only Springfield Public Schools employees may apply.
There is no dollar limit on grant requests.
Applicants must provide a detailed budget for the full project cost.
Grant recipients must follow SPS purchasing guidelines.
Funds may not be used for stipends, salaries, substitute teachers, or capital improvements.
Remember: For Back to School Grants, the classroom is wherever learning happens. Including classrooms, field trips, athletic fields, counseling centers, libraries, and nurses’ offices.
Grant Categories
Classroom Projects: Classroom, school, athletic, extracurricular, and student activity needs.
Literacy: Literacy programs, initiatives, professional development, and speakers.
Student Attendance: Programs and initiatives that support and improve attendance.
Mental Health: Mental health education, programming, and awareness.
Student Behavior Supports: Supports for positive classroom environments and student behavior.
Access to Real-World Learning Opportunities: Projects that reduce barriers to real-world educational experiences.
Community & Family Engagement: Family and community outreach that supports student success.
Subcategories
Arts & Creative Expression: Dance, digital/media arts, music, theater, visual arts.
Core Academics: Math, reading, science, social studies/history, agriculture, family & consumer sciences.
Literacy & Language: Reading, library, speech & debate, language learning.
Physical Activity & Athletics: Physical education, sports, and athletics.
STEM & Technical Learning: STEM, engineering, robotics, technology, electronics, virtual reality.
Student Connection & Leadership: Mentoring, school transitions, relationship building, feeder-pattern collaboration, student leadership, and school connectedness.
Required Approvals
Outdoor Projects: Projects involving school grounds, including outdoor classrooms and gardens, require approval from SPS Grounds Management before applying.
Questions: Brittany Taylor: brittanydtaylor@spsmail.org | 417-523-0468
CC: Andrew Hay: athay@spsmail.org
Technology Projects: Technology requests require approval from IT & Systems and District Administration before submission. Complete the IT Request Form first.
Questions: Bruce Douglas, bdouglas@spsmail.org | 417-523-0156
IT Help Desk: 417-523-HELP | Ext. 33333