Since 2006, GNSF has awarded nearly 200 academic mini-grant to Grinnell-Newburg teachers for projects which enhance academic achievement for our students. Over $350,00 in mini-grant funding has been awarded to teachers among every school in the district. Visit the Mini-Grant Application page to learn more.
Description: GNSF partnered with the Grinnell High School Fine Arts Alliance to secure funding for a Steinway B Grand Piano suitable for both educational and performance purposes. Through the generosity of a major private donor and the generous support from more than 150 additional donors and two grants, GNSF raised the necessary $89,125 in under four months in 2016.
Safety & Security
Fundraising Campaign: $100,000 (Grants were received from Grinnell College, Lincoln Savings Bank, Prairie Meadows, and Walmart in addition to individual donations)
Description: The GNCSD worked with local first responders to identify key equipment necessary to help keep children and staff safe such as signal boosters to increase cell phone connectivity; repeaters so that radios can reach longer distances; state-of-the-art cameras and monitors at the entrances to every school; and new sets of radios for each building. These items are critical in instances of weather emergencies and medical emergencies in classrooms as well as identifying intruders on school properties.
Description: Grant supports a portion of the speaker fee for George Couros, invited to speak on Opening Day on August 20, 2018, to encourage teachers to find new ways to inspire students and promote a positive culture in Grinnell Newburg Schools.
6th Grade and High School Choirs
Choral Music Commission Project
Award: $2,500
Applicants: Roger Henderson and Jill Harris
Students Impacted: 250
Description: Funded in 2015, this grant helped hire a composer to write a choral piece suitable for the 6th grade and high school choirs to perform. The students generated poetic prose and melodic ideas centered on the program theme “Peace” which the composer then used to create an original piece.
Pre-K Through 4th Grades
Music Therapy for At-Risk Kids
Award: $5,800
Applicants: Dr. Janet Stutz, Sarah Seney, Mark Ernst and Brian Conway
Students Impacted: 50
Description: Granted in October 2016, this grant approves up to 66 sessions for small groups lead by trained therapists from Music Speaks for approximately 50 at-risk pre-K through 4th grade students. Therapy sessions are intended to help improve socialization, impulse control, self-expression, communication and mood stability through rhythm and sensory music activities.
Technology Transforms Learning
Technology Transforms Learning
Award: $37,500
Applicants: Technology Task Force, Pam Ewell
Students Impacted: All elementary students in the district
Description: This request was made by the Technology Task Force on behalf of all of the teachers/buildings in the district. The funds will be used to purchase 6 laptop computers per building with the necessary hardware to run them as wireless machines. These laptops will allow teachers to receive training in order to help them gain the necessary skills and knowledge to incorporate more technology into the classroom. They will also be available for classroom and small group work by students.
Fairview, Bailey Park, and Davis
Leveled Book Room
Award: $4,000
Applicants: Chris Coffman
Students Impacted: All elementary students in the district
Description: Funds will help develop consistency in the district reading program by creating a leveled library of books for guided reading. Each elementary school will have a centralized location for book storage and a check-out system to keep track of inventory.
Early Elementary Schools
2026
Bailey Park & Fairview
Tiny Techies: Coded Robots in K-2
Award: $5,000
Applicants: Lisa York, Morgan Schmidt
2025
Fairview
Special Education Level 3
Award: $1,000
Applicants: Kathryn Kauffmann
2023
Bailey Park & Fairview
Tiny Techies: Coded Robots in K-2
Award: $5,000
Applicants: Lisa York, Morgan Schmidt
2022
Bailey Park & Fairview
Decodable Readers for K-2 Learners
Award: $2,500
Applicants: Lisa York
Fairview
PK Early Literacy Enhancement
Award: $1,652.16
Applicants: Andrea Zhorne
2021
Fairview
Let's Get Buzzing
Award: $600
Applicants: Rebecca Talk
2020
Bailey Park & Fairview
Let's Glow and Grow!
Award: $1,606.14
Applicants: Dee Gibson
Upper Elementary Schools
2026
Fluency Focus- Whisper Phones and Books
Award: $1,840.65
Applicants: April Gosselink-Lemke
Science of Reading
Award: $502.70
Applicants: Jennifer Hadenfelt
2022
Fluency Focus- Whisper Phones and Books
Award: $1,840.65
Applicants: April Gosselink-Lemke
Science of Reading
Award: $502.70
Applicants: Jennifer Hadenfelt
2020
Davis Music Curriculum
Award: $515
Applicants: Shareah Sharp
2019
Calm Down Corner- Sensory Items
Award: $729.69
Applicants: Justin White, Brandon Sharp
Students Impacted: 250
Mindfulness in Schools
Award: $2,200
Applicants: April Gosselink
Students Impacted: 250
Freckle
Award: $3,949
Applicants: Farah Deppe
Middle School
2026
From Conference to Classroom: Building Expertise in Disciplinary Literacy and Primary Source Instruction
Award: $1,926
Applicants: Danielle McDonough
2023
Student Learning using Audio and Visual Technology
Award: $599.75
Applicants: Zach Ceresa
2022
CPR/First Aid Equipment for Staff Training
Award: $700
Applicants: Kim Weber, Katelin Ferguson
Middle School Diverse Classroom Libraries
Award: $2,000
Applicants: Jen Culham
2021
Classroom Library Diversity
Award: $4,500
Applicants: Jen Culham
Reaching Audio-Visual Learners
Award: $160
Applicants: Sarah Schull
2020
Social Emotional Learning REthink Education
Award: $2,750
Applicants: Nicole James
High School
2026
The Tiger's Den: Next Generation - Fueling Tigers One Snack at a Time
Award: $4,960
Applicants: Rhonda Scull
From Conference to Classroom: Building Expertise in Disciplinary Literacy and Primary Source Instruction
Award: $1,926
Applicants: Danielle McDonough
2025
Professional Development at International Thespian Fest
Award: $500
Applicants: Jennie Flinspach
American Realities: A Research Study with Nonfiction Lit Circles
Award: $1,000.00 ($900.00 Grinnell College Mini Grant)
Industrial Tech 3D Printer
Award: $863.32
Applicants: Sam Watts, Kevin Hosbond
English 12 Inspiring Sports Books
Award: $921.80
2024
Quilts for Kids - Literacy Connections
Award: $500
Applicants: Amy Skouson
GHS Robotics Team Youth Outreach
Award: $3,719.82
Applicants: Bill Gruman
Tower Gardens
Award: $5,050
Applicants: Michelle Barker
Books in Other Languages
Award: $1,000
Applicants: Chelsey Kolpin
Nonfiction Lit Circle Book Update
Award: $271.95
Applicants: Kevin Hosbond
2022
CPR/First Aid Equipment for Staff Training
Award: $700
Applicants: Kim Weber, Katelin Ferguson
Industrial Tech Design and Products
Award: $688
Applicants: Sam Watts
2021
English 9 Learning Centers
Award: $300
Applicant: Kevin Hosbond
2020
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
Award: $1,030
Applicants: Janet Ahrens
Ag/Ed Potting Mix
Award: $1,000
Applicants: Ashley Wolfe
Mini-Grants support excellence in teaching and the learning process.
Visit the Mini-Grant Application page to learn more about grant guidelines and the application process.
