Grants
Supporting innovative classroom projects across District 116
Grant Making Procedures and Policies
2026 - 2027
Great Ideas Grants fund unique and innovative classroom projects for staff of Round Lake Area Schools CUSD #116. Applications are accepted on the schedule below.
How it works
Review your proposal with your principal first. Once they approve, the application goes to the District's Teaching & Learning Department for review, and then to the Foundation's Grants Committee and Board of Trustees. Awardees are notified within 72 hours of the Board's decision.
What the committee looks for
Each application is scored by the Grants Committee against these criteria:
- Unique and innovative
- Individual student impact
- Sustainability, durability, and continuity
- Collective impact of the program
- Business and/or community partnerships
- Alignment with Foundation goals and mission
An application needs a minimum average score of 39 to be considered.
Grant Application Schedule
| Grant Period | Staff Submission | District Approval | Foundation Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| September/October | Sept 18, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| March | Feb 19, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | Mar 18, 2027 |
Apply for a Grant
Full eligibility details, the complete procedures and the application itself are on the form. It opens in a new tab, so this page stays open beside it.
Start the 2026–2027 applicationOpens in a new tab at docs.google.com