Grant Giving Tour Delivers Big Smiles and Big Opportunities
There is nothing quite like the moment an educator realizes they’ve been awarded funding for a project they’ve been dreaming about.
On May 28, SEF supporters boarded a school bus and set out to surprise educators across Springfield Public Schools with the news that their innovative ideas had been selected for funding for the 2026-27 school year.
By the end of the day, the tour had visited 14 schools and awarded more than $55,000 through 22 Innovative Educator Grants, 7 Frank Sherman Grants, and 1 Social Emotional Learning Fund (SELF) Grant. Together, these projects will create more than 7,200 learning opportunities for Springfield students.
This year’s grants reflect the incredible creativity and dedication of Springfield educators. Funded projects range from orchestra instruments, classroom libraries, culturally responsive book clubs, and math intervention games to marine science experiences, 3D printing, environmental science, bilingual communication tools, and expanded opportunities in career and technical education (CTE Pathways).
Several grants focus on creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments for students. Others connect learning to real-world experiences through wilderness education, rock climbing, STEAM exploration, culinary arts, film production, and hands-on technical skill development.
The Frank Sherman Grants continue a legacy of supporting physical fitness, health, and outdoor education opportunities. This year also included a special award supporting professional lighting and cinematography equipment for Thurston High School’s Film & Video Production program, reflecting a special area of interest of the Sherman family.
Meanwhile, a SELF Grant was awarded to Agnes Stewart Middle School’s Mind and Body Divergent Alliance, a program designed to foster belonging and acceptance for students with diverse learning styles and physical needs. The SELF Grant selection committee hopes this program will expand to become a school-wide symbol of connection and kindness.
The celebrations were made even more memorable thanks to the many community members who joined us throughout the day. Student drum lines from Springfield High School and Thurston High School brought energy and excitement to grant presentations, while FPW Media traveled with the tour to capture the surprises and celebrations. Their work will be featured in a special video premiering at SEF’s Night of 11,000 Stars Gala this fall.
We are deeply grateful to the organizations whose support made these grants possible: Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, Sierra Pacific Foundation, SELCO Community Credit Union, Columbia Bank, and OnPoint Community Credit Union.
Thank you also to Cafe Yumm! for generously donating lunch for our tour participants, and to Mike Nordtvedt of Lifeslice Photography, who once again donated his time and talent to document the day. For approximately fifteen years, Mike has helped preserve the memories and magic of the Grant Giving Tour through his photography.
We would also like to thank the many supporters who joined us on the bus, the Springfield Education Foundation Board of Directors, and our volunteer Grant Evaluators. These dedicated community members spent countless hours reviewing and scoring blind applications to ensure every proposal received thoughtful consideration.
The Grant Giving Tour is a powerful reminder that student success is a community effort. When donors, volunteers, businesses, educators, and families come together, incredible things happen for students.
If you’d like to help create even more opportunities for the 2027-28 school year, consider making a donation, volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or joining the Night of 11,000 Stars Planning Committee. Together, we can continue investing in innovative ideas that inspire learning, strengthen school communities, and help every Springfield student thrive!
Want to be part of the magic? Reach out to Staff@SEFLane.org to learn about how YOU can help to change students’ lives!
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