An EJK Mini-Grant program is a creative and innovative activity that takes place in class or out in the community, and provides an enriched experience. It’s funded solely by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. It’s an opportunity for a public school teacher or librarian to present a special project outside the standard curriculum or an engaging way to help students meet curricular goals. And every year sees an amazing variety of projects that foster creative expression, cooperation and community.
An innovative program can:
- develop required academic skills in a creative and exciting way.
- allow educators to collaborate across disciplines.
- inspire students to work hard toward a desired goal, applying necessary skills and knowledge to the project and the team.
- involve whole families and bridge generations to benefit the larger community.
- give children the opportunity to explore their own culture and learn about others.
Successful programs have included a public story walk, multicultural portrait project, school garden, bookmaking, puppetry, and intergenerational storytelling.
See more examples in our Great Mini-Grant Programs gallery. Please use these as a starting point: We encourage new ideas.
Who can apply?
- Who: Public schools, public libraries, preschools, Head Start programs
- Where: The United States and U.S. commonwealths and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam
- Limit: Only one application per library or school
- Not eligible: Private schools, parochial schools, charter schools
Deadline: Submit by March 31, 11:59 p.m.
Notification: You will be notified by email about the status of your application on or around May 1—whether or not your proposal has been accepted.
Final Report: A Final Report is required as documentation of your program.
Do’s:
- Instructions: These will give you a great advantage.
- Sample form : Use as a guide to plan your program and budget.
- Program Elements: Make sure your program:
- has a Phase 1 – introductory stage; Phase 2 – activity/engagement stage; and Phase 3 – culminating/outcome stage.
- provides an enriched learning experience.
- is supported solely by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
- costs $500 or less.
- is offered free of charge.
- is implemented during the summer or school year following receipt of the Mini-Grant.
- Application Form: After you submit, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to your application. Print and save the application when you receive the confirmation link. If you receive a grant you will need a copy of your application to implement your program.
- Materials: Include only items that will be used in your program. Read more Our Policy on Materials
- Final Report: If you receive a grant, read the Final Report Instructions so you will be prepared to document your work.
Don’ts:
- Program Elements:
- Do not charge admission or make sales.
- Materials: Do NOT include the following. Your application will be disqualified.
- books, materials and equipment unrelated or incidental to the program
- books, materials and equipment intended for reuse outside the program
- Read more Our Policy on Materials
- general operating and administrative costs
- production or purchase of merchandise intended for sale
- transportation
- salaries