Submit Applications for Learning for Justice Educator Fund

Learning for Justice’s Educator Fund offers the opportunity to work with LFJ to address systemic inequities within education.

Donor Name: Learning for Justice

State: Selected States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 04/14/2023

Size of the Grant: 2,500 to $25,000

Grant Duration: 3 years

Details:

The Learning for Justice Educator Fund supports educators who embrace and embed social justice, anti-bias and anti-racist principles throughout their classrooms and schools. They seek to collaboratively build educators’ capacity to do this. They believe these approaches in education encourage children and young people to challenge injustice and learn how to be agents of change in their own lives and communities.

With help from your expertise about your own school community, they intend to collaboratively generate innovative solutions that promote affirming school climates, promote student action and raise everyone’s consciousness.

The LFJ Educator Fund funds three types of projects: classroom level, school level and district level. For all project types, they seek to fund projects that culminate in measurable student outcomes and sustainable systems change. Educators throughout the U.S. may apply. Priority will be given to eligible proposals operating in the SPLC’s core states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

All Learning for Justice Educator Fund projects must utilize at least one Learning for Justice resource, framework or publication. Applicants must also demonstrate how the endeavor addresses one or more of the following key outcomes:

• Restorative discipline: an increase in schools and districts shifting from punitive discipline policies to restorative discipline policies;
• Youth civic engagement: an increase in student civic engagement, especially supporting the rights of marginalized students and communities;
• Dismantling oppressive narratives: an increase in schools and districts shifting from white supremacist or oppressive policies and curricula to policies and curricula that are anti-racist or support the safety and self-determination of all students.

The Foundation aim is to build, over time, a network of educators who are enthusiastic about learning from each other and sharing their experiences with the broader Learning for Justice community.

Funding Information 

• Classroom-level grant amounts will range from $500 to $2,500. Projects must be completed within six months of receiving grant funds.
• School- and district-level awards range from $2,500 to $25,000. Applicants may apply for up to three years of project funding

Eligibility Criteria

People who meet one of the following descriptions are eligible to apply:

• Educators, administrators and school personnel who work in public and private K-12 spaces;
• Educators, administrators and school personnel who work in facilities where students receive their main education, such as juvenile justice facilities, therapeutic schools or alternative schools;
• Faculty and staff in schools of education in colleges and universities.

Educators employed at community-based, nonprofit or other informal learning sites are not currently eligible for Learning for Justice Educator Fund awards.

Project Criteria

Funding decisions are based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated need:
  • The project addresses a clear and specific need by students, the school, and/or the community.
  • The project is tailored to fit the unique needs of the student population.
• Social justice alignment:
  • Applicants must use at least one Learning for Justice resource, framework or publication.
• Outcome alignment (in one or more areas):
  • Restorative discipline: an increase in schools and districts shifting from punitive discipline policies to restorative discipline policies;
  • Youth civic engagement: an increase in student civic engagement, especially supporting the rights of marginalized students and communities;
  • Dismantling oppressive narratives: an increase in schools and districts shifting from white supremacist or oppressive policies and curricula to policies and curricula that are anti-racist or support the safety and self-determination of all students.
• Outcomes and assessment:
  • The project defines SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely).
  • The applicant has a clear and practical plan to assess the project’s impact and report results.
• Student-centered approach:
  • Students are meaningfully involved in the planning or implementation of the project.
  • The project ultimately relates to or improves students’ experiences.
• Sustainability and support:
  • The applicant can demonstrate how the project affects long-term structural change.
  • The applicant can articulate how the project will be sustained over time.
  • The applicant has the support and commitment from a school or district leadership team.
  • The applicant has the support and buy-in from relevant stakeholders, such as administration, students and parents.
• Geography and priority populations:
  • Educators working in the United States are eligible to apply. Priority is given to applicants from the SPLC’s core states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
  • Priority given to projects implemented in Title I schools or schools with high percentages of students and/or educators of color

For more information, visit Learning for Justice Educator Fund.