Teachers are invited to apply for grants to make learning and teaching more fun and impactful. Unity Foundation manages three grant programs for Michigan City school teachers established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning. Together the programs have invested in more than 1,000 educators for projects of their own design, since the mid-1990s.
These grants of $350- $400, aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students. Teachers are invited to complete a brief application at uflc.net/grants/teacher-grants for projects during the 2021-2022 academic year. The application deadline is September 10, 2021.
The Michigan City Education Foundation (MCEF) makes grants of up to $350 for Michigan City public and parochial schools grades K-8. Teachers may use their grants for hands-on or virtual activities in any academic area or life skills. MCEF was founded in 1994 when the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, Mary Lou Linnen and Bud and June Ruby came together to empower teachers. Teachers may apply on their own or collaborate using one application. “My students and I have enjoyed using the materials to support learning in our classroom. Thank you the Michigan City Education Foundation Small Grants for this opportunity,” said Brigid McKee, Notre Dame Catholic School teacher and 2020-2021 grant recipient.
The Barbara A. Carmen Memorial Endowment Fund is dedicated to the memory of Barbara A. Carmen, a former Michigan City kindergarten and first grade teacher in both the public and parochial schools. The Carmen fund makes grants of up to $400 for items that will enrich curriculum or enhance a teacher’s ability to meet student needs. Multiple teachers may collaborate using one application.
Both MCEF and the Carmen Fund accept proposals from the following schools in Michigan City: Barker Middle School, Coolspring Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, Joy Elementary, Knapp Elementary, Krueger Middle, Lake Hills STEM Magnet Elementary, Marsh Elementary, Notre
Dame Catholic School, Pine Fine Arts Magnet Elementary, Queen of All Saints Catholic School, Springfield Elementary, St. Paul Lutheran School, and St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic School.
The Teacher Innovation Fund is a small grant program for Michigan City High School and La Porte County Career and Technical Education/A.K. Smith Career Center teachers and professionals. It is designed to support educational professionals as they strive to reach their students. Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, MCAS Superintendent, and former Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie provided the idea and the seed money from their own personal funds. Grants can be used to purchase equipment, supplies, tools for special programs or for ideas to enrich curriculum and enhance each professional’s ability to meet his/her students’ needs. Each grant applicant may request up to $350. Multiple teachers may collaborate using one application. “I appreciate the opportunity to have more resources for my students,” said Cheri Whitler, Michigan City High School teacher and 2020-2021 grant recipient. All La Porte County teachers are eligible to apply for Unity’s Community “Power for Good” Grants. Applications for this program will be available in May 2022. For more information on Unity’s teacher grant programs or to help build these teacher support funds, visit uflc.net or contact Lauren Varga at (219) 879-0327 or lvarga@uflc.net.