Big Ideas Start in the Classroom.
The Nassau Education Foundation raises funds through corporate partnerships, community support, and individual donations to provide classroom grants for innovative projects that enhance Nassau County students’ educational experience.
NEF awards grants to educators whose proposals show the potential to make a meaningful impact in the classroom. Since the program began, every school throughout Nassau County has received funding through NEF’s Classroom Grant Program.
Helping Teachers Bring Ideas to Life
Turning Great Ideas Into Student Opportunities
Teachers see opportunities every day to make learning more engaging, creative, and meaningful. Sometimes, the resources needed to bring those ideas to life fall outside traditional school budgets.
NEF Classroom Grants help bridge that gap.
The program encourages educators to develop creative projects, introduce innovative learning experiences, and provide students with opportunities that may not otherwise be possible through traditional funding.
Whether the idea involves technology, STEM, career education, literacy, the arts, or another area of learning, NEF wants to help educators create experiences that have a lasting impact on students.
Grant Criteria
Understand how applications are evaluated, including alignment, innovation, resource use, student impact, and measurable results.
Application Process
Follow the grant process from developing your idea and submitting an application through review, award, and implementation.
What We Fund
Explore the types of projects NEF supports, including STEM, technology, literacy, arts, career education, and innovative classroom experiences.
Grant Timeline
Review important dates and key steps for the current classroom grant cycle, from applications opening through grant awards.
Matching Grants
Learn how NEF participates in the CFEF $1-for-$1 Matching Grant Program to expand funding for eligible educational projects.
Application Tutorials
Get step-by-step help with video tutorials designed for both first-time and returning classroom grant applicants.
Grant Criteria
What Makes a Strong Grant Application?
The Nassau Education Foundation Grants Committee reviews every grant application using established criteria designed to identify projects with strong educational value and meaningful potential impact.
Applications are evaluated based on the following:
Alignment With School and District Goals
Projects should support educational priorities and complement the goals of the individual school and Nassau County School District.
Creativity & Innovation
Applications should demonstrate a thoughtful or creative approach to enhancing the educational experience.
Effective Use of Resources
Funding requests should clearly show how grant dollars will be used and why the requested resources matter to the project.
Teacher & Student Impact
Projects should have the potential to increase teacher effectiveness, student knowledge, engagement, or educational opportunity.
Measurable Results
Applicants should identify how the use and effectiveness of the project will be evaluated.
Tip for Applicants:
A strong application clearly connects the requested resources to the experience or outcome they will create for students.
The Grant Process
From Classroom Idea to Classroom Impact
NEF has designed the grant process to give educators an opportunity to share their ideas while helping ensure community funding creates meaningful educational impact.
1. Develop Your Idea
Identify an opportunity, classroom need, or innovative project that could enhance learning for your students.
Consider what you want students to experience, what resources are needed, and what success will look like.
2. Complete Your Application
Applications should demonstrate a thoughtful or creative approach to enhancing the educational experience.
3. Grants Committee Review
The NEF Grants Committee evaluates each application using the established grant criteria, including innovation, use of resources, alignment with educational goals, and student impact.
4. Grant Awards
Selected educators are notified and receive funding to begin bringing their projects to life.
5. Put the Grant to Work
Teachers purchase approved resources, implement their projects, and create new learning opportunities for students.
6. Measure the Impact
Grant recipients document how the project was utilized and evaluate its impact on students and/or educators.
How Classroom Grants Are Funded
Community support, partnerships, and matching funds work together to bring more resources into Nassau County classrooms.
(CFEF) Funds
Through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF), the Nassau Education Foundation can access resources, grant opportunities, and programs that expand support for Nassau County students, teachers, and schools.
Community Sponsors & Donors
Businesses, organizations, and individuals make our work possible by believing in the power of public education. Their generosity helps the Nassau Education Foundation provide meaningful resources, programs, and opportunities for teachers and students across Nassau County.
Teacher of the Year Gala
The Nassau Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Gala celebrates the outstanding educators who inspire students, strengthen schools, and make a lasting difference throughout Nassau County. This signature event brings our community together to honor excellence in education.
Support Education License Plate
Florida’s Support Education specialty license plate gives drivers an easy way to support public education. Proceeds help local education foundations provide additional resources and opportunities for students and teachers in their communities.
Grant Timeline
Important Dates
February
Applications Open
Educators begin submitting classroom grant proposals.
March
Applications Reviewed
The Grants Committee evaluates eligible applications.
April
Grants Awarded
Selected projects receive funding.
After Funding
Ideas Come to Life
Teachers implement their projects and put grant resources to work with students.
IMPORTANT!!
Always refer to the current dates shown on this page when applying. Some tutorial videos were produced in previous grant cycles and may reference older dates.
Returning Applicants
Applied for an NEF Grant Before?
This tutorial is designed for educators who have previously completed the grant application process and need a refresher on submitting a new request.
Important: The tutorial may reference dates from an earlier grant cycle. Use the current application dates listed on this page.
What We Fund
Supporting Innovative Learning
NEF Classroom Grants support creative projects and educational opportunities in areas where additional funding can make a meaningful difference.
STEM & Robotics
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and robotics experiences that encourage exploration and problem-solving.
Career & Technical Education
Tools, equipment, and learning experiences that help students develop practical skills and explore future careers.
Effective Use of Resources
Funding requests should clearly show how grant dollars will be used and why the requested resources matter to the project.
Teacher & Student Impact
Projects should have the potential to increase teacher effectiveness, student knowledge, engagement, or educational opportunity.
Measurable Results
Applicants should identify how the use and effectiveness of the project will be evaluated.
Tip for Applicants:
A strong application clearly connects the requested resources to the experience or outcome they will create for students.
See What’s Possible
Explore Grants That Have Brought Classroom Ideas to Life
Matching Grants That Multiply Local Impact
Turning Community Support Into Greater Opportunities for Nassau County Students
Through its partnership with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF), the Nassau Education Foundation can access matching funds for eligible programs through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program. For every eligible dollar NEF raises locally, matching funds can help extend the impact of that support. These grants have helped fund large-scale initiatives in areas such as robotics, career and technical education, agricultural technology, construction, educational software, and student resiliency programs across Nassau County schools.
The Resiliency in the Community (RTC) program is funded by federal grants awarded through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Resiliency is the ability to work through adversity, and these initiatives will help students build their social and emotional skills. Florida State Standards in resiliency encompass 11 skills to overcome challenges, which include: Perseverance, grit, gratitude, responsibility, responsible decision-making, critical thinking and problem-solving, self-awareness and self-management, mentorship, citizenship, honesty, and empathy.
Your Gift Gives Educators More Ways to Inspire
A donation to the Nassau Education Foundation helps put resources directly into the hands of local educators, supporting innovative classroom projects, meaningful learning experiences, and opportunities that might not otherwise be possible. Every gift helps teachers bring ideas to life and gives Nassau County students more chances to learn, grow, and succeed.