Process

Important Notes for FUTURES Grant Recipients

• If at any time, you determine your project will not come to fruition, please return the funds to FUTURES immediately so they may be re-allocated to a viable project. Waiting until the end of the school year to notify us may result in disqualification from Classroom Grant funding next school year.
• FUTURES Foundation requires that recipients advertise and note FUTURES Foundation as a source of funding on all grant materials. Please tag us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn.
• All items, including instructional materials, purchased with money from this grant are the property of the school, not the individual teacher, and must remain with the originating school if the teacher moves to a different school or leaves the District; unless administration provides express written consent to removal or transfer.
• It is the policy of FUTURES Foundation that Charter Schools shall not be eligible to apply for grants under the FUTURES Classroom Grant Program, absent extenuating circumstances to be considered by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion from time to time. However, Charter Schools may apply for School District Education Foundation (SDEF) Matching Grants.

Who May Apply

All Volusia County Public Schools K-12 teachers are encouraged to apply. Each teacher may submit up to two grant requests, one for up to $1,000 OR two up to $500 each. There is no limit of applications per school.

Classroom Grant Funding Timeline:

• July 1: Platform opens!
• September 15: Platform closes and will no longer accept grant requests.
• October: Classroom Grant Committee reviews and recommends allocations for all classroom grant requests.
• Surprise Grant Delivery Days: Grant Recipients are surprised with funding at their schools!
• April 10: Recommended deadline to purchase all items and complete projects.
• April 30: Online Impact Report is due and deadline to return any unused funds in excess of $25 to FUTURES (interoffice to FUTURES at Facilities Services/Olson Drive).

What Will Not Be Funded

This list is not comprehensive, and the Classroom Grants Committee reserves the right to make adjustments. Grant funding is not to be used for:

• T-shirts or other swag/branded items
• Awards, certificates, gift cards, vouchers
• Incentives or treasure box-style gifts for students
• Food, unless used for an educational purpose (contact for more information)
• Travel or mileage reimbursement
• Furniture or classroom - unless used for an educational purpose (contact for more information)
• Stipends/salaries or staff development
• Computer hardware such as Nooks, Kindles, iPads, laptops, desktops, and regular printers
• Items to be sold or used as part of a fundraiser
• Web-based programs, software, and subscriptions

What Happens After I Submit My Grant Request?

1. After the deadline, your principal will receive from FUTURES to provide feedback on your request.
2. FUTURES Foundation staff will review your application to ensure everything is ready for the committee.
   This is not a typical practice, but during our transition to this new platform, we're offering extra support to give you the best chance at receiving funding.
3. A committee made up of educators, district leadership, subject area specialists, community leaders, and FUTURES Board Members and staff will review the online applications.
4. Funded projects will be surprised at their schools with checks!

Who May Apply?

Principals and department leads are encouraged to submit SDEF grant requests (minimum $2,500, multiple projects allowed). Projects must align with at least one priority area:

• Supporting Low-Performing Students
• Literacy Initiatives
• Increasing Graduation Rates
• Career & Technical Education
• STEM Education
• Improving Classroom Instruction
• Student Resiliency

School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Timeline:

• August 22, 2026 - SDEF Matching Grant Application deadline in Grants Management Platform.
• October 1, 2026 - SDEF Matching Grant recipients will receive an email from FUTURES regarding amount awarded.
• November 2026 - First disbursement of funds (typically half)
• January 6, 2027 - SDEF Midyear Report due from schools - informal, via email.
• January 31, 2027 - All unused SDEF match money must be returned to FUTURES
• February 2027 - Second round disbursement of funds to schools, if applicable
• May 15, 2027 - Impact report deadline in Grants Management Platform.

What can and cannot be funded:

For SDEF purposes, private "match" dollars are funds raised by your PTA/PTO/PTSA or funds donated by individuals/organizations/businesses for your specific SDEF project. Private money is not PTA book sale money that can be used for any program, nor is it state or federal dollars received. All private "match" dollars must be documented by your school.

Allowable expenses - Programmatic staff, salaries & benefits directly related to program implementation, classroom materials, travel, program supplies, computer software, computer hardware and other equipment (for example, a printer), printing services and tuition/training/conferences.

Non-allowable expenses - Administrative expenses, refreshments, support of interscholastic athletics, capital improvements, decorative items, awards/incentives, fundraising, pre-award costs, cell phones, Nooks, Kindles, game systems and game cartridges, and the entertainment of dignitaries.

How do I receive the matching grant funds?

After FUTURES receives the state match funds, your school will be emailed its first-round award amount. Send one check to FUTURES, Inc. with the principal-signed Funds Certification Letter* via inter-office mail to Facilities Services/Olson. FUTURES will then return a check doubling your contribution. If your school receives a second-round award, the same process repeats in February. Schools must spend the full matched amount before the final report. For example, a $4,000 request requires a $4,000 private match, and all $8,000 must be spent by May 15, 2027. The certification letter confirms the match came from private donations. *This documents the money was raised through private donations for the school's identified SDEF program. A template will be provided.