WELCOME TO OUR TEACHER GRANTS PROGRAM!

SBEF funds grants once a year to support the purchase of much-needed, project-based supplies and tools, as well as to encourage the development of creative and innovative teaching in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

Please read our following foundation statements before you apply for a grant. We look forward to receiving your submission!

SBEF Mission Statement: The Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) provides and supports programs that enrich the academic, artistic, and personal development of all students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. 

SBEF Social Justice Statement: As an organization that supports public education, we believe that ensuring equitable and inclusive opportunities for students is critical to achieve and sustain positive systemic change.

YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE A SUBMITTABLE ACCOUNT IF YOU DON"T HAVE ONE ALREADY. Instructions will be prompted once you click on the application. 

FUNDING GUIDELINES- Application opens October 1, 2025 and closes on October 31, 2025 at 4pm (PST).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: All Certificated  Staff and Classified Library Technicians in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, preschool-12th grade, including charter schools. Applicants who received a grant in previous years are eligible to apply again.
WHAT WE FUND: Project-based supplies for innovative programs or curriculum development in the classrooms, student field trips, technology, instructional tools, and general supplies. *(If the teacher is requesting software, the principal must check with ETS to make sure the software is allowed and compatible.) Projects must be student-centered, directly benefit students and enhance and improve students outcomes. 

**NEW ETS Guidelines from SBUSD:

All applications, platforms, and software purchases must go through the district’s LearnPlatform vetting process before funding can be approved. Staff must submit requests through the LearnPlatform portal (sbunified.app.learnplatform.com) for initial review by the Director of Educational Technology Services. Depending on scope and impact, requests may undergo additional technical, privacy, and instructional alignment reviews. 

Teachers begin by searching for the software or platform in LearnPlatform.

If the platform is already in the system, it will display one of the following tags: Approved, Approved with Conditions, Reviewed and Denied

 WHAT WE DO NOT FUND: Professional development, district-wide programs and initiatives, incentives/awards, instruments and software/technology that has not been pre-approved by the SBUSD ETS department.

FUNDING: There are three general funding categories: grants up to $1,000, grants up to $2,500, and grants up to  $5,000.

In addition to the general teacher grant funding, we have two specialty grants. Applicants are allowed to apply for two grants, one from the general funding and one of the specialty grants, however can only be awarded one grant. 

SPECIALITY GRANTS
 

• $10,000 School-Wide STEM Grant: This grant is STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics) focused and must impact all the students in the school (elementary and junior high) or an academy (at the high school level). This grant must be submitted by one lead teacher on behalf of a school or academy (with principal approval). Grant objectives: Supports innovative STEM programs and activities. Each school can only submit ONE application in this category. BE CREATIVE!

• The Margie Yahyavi Grant for Excellence in Music Education ($3,000): This grant was established in memory of SBEF’s former Executive Director, Margie Yahyavi. This grant of $3,000 is open to SBUSD instrumental music and vocal music teachers in TK-12th grade. Grant Objectives: 1. To support creative and cultural programming that promotes student engagement and collaboration in the classroom and community 2. To expose students to new music genres 3. To foster student concerts, workshops and other musical events. Does not fund field trips. 

 
REVIEW PROCESS: SBEF staff reviews all the applications to ensure they are complete and meet the eligibility requirements. Then members of the SBEF Teacher Grants committee review all eligible applications. The committee consists of SBEF staff, SBEF board members, community members and a SBUSD Principal and SBUSD teacher liaison.

DECISION PROCESS: All applicants will be notified of the status of their grant by December 5, 2025. Grant funds will be available for use after notification.

TEACHER GRANTS AWARD CEREMONY: We request the presence of grant recipients at a ceremony in January 2026. Date to be determined in December. 

FINAL REPORT: Mandatory final grant reports are due by June 30, 2026. You will receive an email from Submittable with the final grant report by April 1. Please note if a final report is not submitted, you are not eligible to apply for a grant the following year.

FAQs
 

• How many grants can each applicant apply for? Applicants are allowed to apply for two grants, one from the general funding and one of the specialty grants, however applicant can only be awarded one grant.
• Can you apply for a grant if you received one last year? YES, applicants who received a grant in previous years are eligible to apply again (unless a final report was not submitted).
• Do we award partial grants, or is it all or nothing? We do award partial grants, although less common.
• Does my principal need to read and approve my grant? YES, instructions will be on the Submittable application.
• How will the funds be distributed? SBEF will issue reimbursement checks or pay for items directly once a cost list has been approved. All communication for purchases and reimbursements should be directed to SBEF Programs Manager, Katie Szopa at katie@santabarbaraeducation.org