In partnership with Foundry10, the Snohomish Education Foundation is launching InnovateED, a grant program designed to support and create ideas already emerging in Snohomish School District classrooms.

During the 2026–2027 school year, InnovateED will provide up to $40,000 in grant funding to help educators pilot new programs, instructional models, and learning experiences that enhance the great work already happening across the district.

This program is intentionally flexible and supportive. If you have an idea you’ve been wanting to try, InnovateED offers resources to help you pilot it, learn from the experience, and share what works.

Teachers know their students best. InnovateED simply provides additional support so educators can design, test, and refine new approaches in ways that are manageable and meaningful for their classrooms.

InnovateED is intended to support thoughtful experimentation and learning. Projects may:

• Pilot a new idea, program, or instructional approach
• Introduce a teaching or learning model that is new to a school or the district
• Provide space to experiment, learn, and refine an approach over time
• Include opportunities for reflection and documentation about what worked and what was learned
• Consider how the idea could be sustained in the future if it proves effective
• Professional development to implement the grant effectively

The goal is to help create opportunities for educators to explore promising ideas and share insights that may benefit students across the district.

All projects should align with district policies and classroom practices and can not go against district curriculum.

• Open to all Snohomish School District educators and staff
• Individual teachers or collaborative teams are welcome
• Projects should represent a new idea or an approach not widely offered across the district

InnovateED is designed to support ideas that are thoughtful, practical, and centered on student learning. Strong proposals often:

• Address a specific student need or opportunity in the classroom or school
• Introduce a creative or new approach to teaching or learning
• Are manageable in scope for a pilot during the school year
• Include opportunities to reflect on results and share lessons learned
• Consider how the idea might continue or evolve in the future

You do not need to have every detail finalized to apply. InnovateED is about trying new ideas and giving students access to innovation in education.

InnovateED is designed to support a wide range of projects — from small, focused pilots to larger classroom innovations. You may request any dollar amount that fits your idea.

When building your budget, include the costs that truly matter for making your project successful. This may include:

• Materials or equipment
• Program or curriculum costs
• Professional development
• Technology
• Field experiences
• Implementation time

SEF will award at least six grants and distribute a total of $40,000. This means we welcome:

• Smaller-scale ideas (e.g., $1,000–$3,000)
• Mid-range ideas (e.g., $5,000–$7,500)
• Larger pilots (e.g., $8,000–$10,000+)

There is no “right” amount to request. Choose the amount that makes your project feasible and meaningful for students.

To help spark inspiration, here are a few types of projects that might fit InnovateED:

1. Instructional Pilot: Test a new hands-on learning approach, such as a project-based STEM unit or interactive literacy program.
2. Student Engagement Initiative: Introduce a new way to involve students in leadership, collaboration, or social-emotional learning.
3. Field Trips or hands-on experiences: Support meaningful, real world learning by providing students with access to experiences. This might include visits to museums, local businesses, outdoor learning sites, community partners, or bringing hands-on mobile experiences into the school.
4. Technology or Program Trial: Explore a new app, platform, or instructional model that could enhance classroom learning or student outcomes.

Each InnovateED project will:

• Serve as a pilot, proof of concept or expanded program
• Introduce a new-to-the-district or building teaching or learning model, equipment, idea or program
• Include structured reflection and documentation
• Explore potential for scaling and sustainability

Applications open March 30

• Applications close May 4
• Grant winners announced May 22
• Funding provided upon announcement

InnovateED reflects SEF’s commitment to supporting educators as they continue bringing the best in innovative teaching and learning to Snohomish students.