Every year, Eugene Education Foundation invests in projects and programs across Eugene School District 4J that provide access to an equitable and excellent education, foster a sense of belonging, and create real opportunities for every student to reach their greatest potential.
Whether you’re designing a new STEM learning lab, launching social-emotional programming, or creating accessibility solutions for your classroom, EEF grants help bring your vision to life.
Timeline at a glance
| When | What’s happening |
| Feb. 2, 2026 | Application Opens |
| March 19, 2026 | Deadline (11:59 p.m.) |
| April – May 2026 | Grants committee reviews applications |
| Early June 2026 | Preliminary approvals announced |
| Aug-Sept. 2026 | EEF confirms you can accept |
| Sept. 2026 | Funds available for use |
| June 2027 | Impact completion reports due back to EEF |
Approval checklist (do this FIRST)
- Required for Every Application:
- Your building principal or direct supervisor — Approves the project
- 4J Instruction Department — Confirms alignment with curriculum & instruction goals
- If Your Project Also Includes:
- Technology component → 4J Technology Department approval
- Facilities or building work → 4J Facilities Department approval + FIP request
- Curriculum/instruction changes → 4J Instruction staff approval (note: this overlaps with the required approval above)
- Start asking for approvals NOW. Don’t wait until you’re ready to submit.
Grant Amounts
- School-based projects: Up to $5,000
- District-wide programs: Up to $10,000
What We Fund
EEF prioritizes projects that align with our three strategic investment areas:
| Enrichment | Ready to Learn | Pathways |
| Exposing kids to possibilities | Building strong foundations | Cultivating diverse talents |
| STEM, Arts, experiential learning | Literacy, social emotional learning, accessibility solutions | Career Technical Education, Special Education, Talented & Gifted programs |
The Application Process
- Get approvals (building admin, instruction, + any others needed)
- Open the portal (opens Feb 2) → new users create a profile
- Fill it out (describe project, impact, budget using our budget template)
- Submit (before Mar 6, 11:59 PM)
- Wait (board reviews in April–May)
- Preliminary approval (early June)
- Confirm acceptance (Aug–Sep; EEF reaches out)
- Get funds (Sep–Oct; use all school year)
- Take pictures and engage EEF (keep us informed!)
- Report back (June 2027)
Key Dates to Remember
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Start getting approvals | January 2026 (NOW) |
| Portal opens | February 2, 2026 |
| Submit by | March 6, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| You’ll hear back | Early June 2026 (preliminary) |
| Confirm acceptance | August–September 2026 |
| Spend your grant | September 2026–June 2027 |
| Submit report | June 2027 |
Common Questions
Q: Do I really need all those approvals?
A: Yes. Two are required (building admin + instruction). Others depend on your project type (technology or facilities request). Approvals help your proposal succeed.
Q: Can I apply if my building principal hasn’t approved yet?
A: No. Applications without approvals get disqualified. Start conversations now.
Q: What if I get preliminary approval but can’t accept in August?
A: Tell us. You can decline with zero penalty, and we’ll move to our waitlist.
Q: When do I actually spend the money?
A: Funds are available in September 2026. You have until June 2027 to spend.
Q: What if I need to change my project after approval?
A: Minor tweaks are fine – just let us know. Major changes need EEF approval.
Q: Who can apply?
Any Eugene School District 4J staff member is encouraged to apply – teachers, instructional specialists, counselors, support staff, and administrators. If you work for 4J and have an idea that supports student success, we want to hear from you.
Q: When will I hear back about my application?
A: All applicants will be notified of their award status by June 2026. You’ll receive an email with the decision and, if awarded, information about fund disbursement.
Q: Can I request funding for something that goes beyond the priorities listed?
A: We prioritize applications aligned with our strategic investment areas (Enrichment, Ready to Learn, Pathways), but we consider all proposals that support student success and equity. If your idea isn’t a perfect fit, reach out to EEF staff, and we might be able to help you refine the proposal.
Q: When will I actually receive my grant funds?
A: Here’s the timeline: Preliminary approval comes in early June 2026. You’ll confirm acceptance in August or September 2026. Once confirmed, funds will be available for use shortly after. This timeline gives the district clarity on the budget while ensuring you have funds well before the school year is in full swing.
Q: Can a team of teachers apply together?
A: Yes! School-based teams can submit one application together for up to $5,000. Just list all participating staff members in the application.
Q: What happens after I receive my grant?
A: You’ll have the full 2026-27 school year to use the funds. In June 2027, you’ll submit a completion report documenting how the grant was used, student outcomes, and impact. We use these reports to celebrate your work and guide future funding decisions. Be sure to take pictures throughout the year, because submitting pictures is required.
A reminder from EEF
We fund vision. Your ideas matter. If you’re asking, “Is my project good enough?” The answer is YES. Apply. If you have questions, reach out. We’re here to help.
Let’s build something great together.
Sincerely,
Your friends at Eugene Education Foundation
