Snohomish Education Foundation Awards $100,000 in Classroom Grants to Support Innovative Learning

Community generosity fuels record-breaking funding for

Snohomish School District educators

The Snohomish Education Foundation (SEF) is thrilled to announce the distribution of $100,000 in classroom grants for the 2024-2025 school year—SEF’s largest award total to date. This funding directly supports innovative educational programs and hands-on learning experiences that inspire students across the Snohomish School District.

With 135 grant applications totaling over $133,000 in requests, SEF funded 123 projects, 110 of which were fully funded, achieving an 82% full-funding rate. These grants are made possible through the unwavering generosity of the Snohomish community, with $98,116 raised through SEF’s Annual Auction in November 2024.

“The dedication of our educators shines through in every grant request, and the overwhelming support from this community makes these projects a reality,” said Sam Janke, SEF Classroom Grant Committee Chair, retired teacher, and current substitute in the district. “It’s incredible to see the difference a few extra dollars can make in creating exciting and meaningful learning experiences for students.”

Erica Cenci, SEF Executive Director, emphasized the community’s critical role in funding these opportunities: “None of this would be possible without the businesses, families, and individuals who believe in the importance of education. These grants are an investment in our teachers, students, and the future of our community.”

This year’s grants support a wide range of educational needs, from STEM and music to hands-on experiences and career development. SEF also introduced new grant categories to maximize impact:

• Experiential Grants – funding field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on learning.
• Innovative Grants – supporting pilot programs, school-wide initiatives, and first-of-their-kind learning experiences.

Among this year’s fully funded Innovative Grants are:

• Snohomish High School: Weather Monitoring
• Valley View Middle School: Multi-language Learning for Math
• Machias Elementary: Kindergarten Outdoor Sensory Path
• District-wide (Grades 4-6): Learning and Strategy Board Games for Highly Capable program

Additionally, 13 of the 14 Experiential Grant requests were fully funded, providing author visits, science kits, CTE conference attendance for students, and field trips that bring learning to life.

This year, for the first time, SEF piloted a business sponsorship opportunity within its grant program. Through a partnership with Kusler’s Compounding Pharmacy, located in Snohomish, SEF is granting Valley View Middle School with a class set of Compound Digital Microscopes with 5M Cameras to be used in various science classes.  

“Supporting this grant allows us to invest in the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers right here in our community, said SEF Board of Trustee and Kusler’s Compounding Pharmacy CEO and Pharmacist, Dawn Ipsen. “Strong schools build a strong community. We are proud to help provide tools that inspire hands-on learning and scientific discovery at Valley View Middle School.”

The families, businesses, and donors who support SEF are the heart of these initiatives, ensuring Snohomish students have access to engaging and enriching education. SEF will continue tracking the impact of these grants, with committee members visiting classrooms this spring to see projects in action.

The community can continue to make its mark and support the SEF Classroom Grants program by attending this year’s SEF Annual Auction which will be held Saturday, November 1, at Tulalip Casino Resort.

About the Snohomish Education Foundation:

The Snohomish Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Snohomish School District. Its mission is to elevate opportunities and possibilities for Snohomish School District students. By funding scholarships, classroom grants, and other educational initiatives, the SEF strives to create opportunities for all students to thrive. As a community-based organization, the Foundation relies on private donors and volunteers to achieve that mission.

For More Information and to donate to support SEF Classroom Grants and other programs visit: www.snoed.org.