PTO & CEF Faculty & Staff Grants – Now Open!

We’re excited to announce that the PTO & CEF are now accepting Faculty and Staff Grant applications for 2025! This year we’ve made it easier with one simple application--two great organizations working together to support our school. This is your chance to bring new ideas or important needs to life for our students and school community.

​​Application Deadline: October 10, 2025

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PTO vs. CEF Grants: What's the difference?

The PTO aids teachers on their teaching path, while the CEF creates new paths for teachers.

​Both organizations fund grants, but they serve different purposes:

• PTO Grants support everyday needs that make classrooms and school life run smoothly—supplies, resources, workshops, or enrichment programs.
• CEF Grants focus on innovation—funding projects that introduce new ways of teaching, spark creativity, and strengthen school community connections.

Together, these grants meet both immediate needs and help shape the future of education at CPS.

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PTO Grants

​​What can be funded:

• Classroom or school activities (on or off campus)
• Student workshops
• Educational materials or equipment
• Pilot enrichment programs

Strong Applications show:

• Team involvement (students, staff, parents, community)
• Alignment with CPS District Goals
• Clear impact on student learning
• Consideration of other/matching funding sources

Recent PTO Grants:

• Hokki stools for speech/language & 7th grade (2024)
• Transportation for Music Department field trip to CCHS (2024)
• Book series for Health Classes (2024)
• Book series for Kindergarten (2023)

CEF Grants

​What can be funded:
Innovative projects that:

• Bring new approaches to teaching and learning
• Build school and community connections
• Support the CPS Portrait of a Graduate goals

Strong applications show:

• Innovation and creativity
• Community-building
• Team involvement

Recent CEF Grants:

• Moki Bands: PE Program with wearable tech (2024)
• Sensory Pathways (2024) 
• Modernizing of Robotics Club’s Equipment (2023)
• Artist Residency & Mural with Bren Bataclan (2019)

​Proposals may be submitted by individuals or teams, and more than one proposal per person or team will be considered. Please note that not all proposals can be funded.

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​Application Process

Submit your application via the Google Form linked below by October 10, 2025. With the new single application, there’s no need to differentiate between PTO and CEF grants--the single application streamlines the process between the two organizations.

• Review & Approval: Proposals are reviewed by the Grants Committee and then voted on by the PTO or CEF Board. Approved grants move to the School Committee for final approval in November. Applicants are notified in December.
• Post-Award: Within 30 days of completing your project—or once grant items are in use—recipients must submit a short evaluation form.

Grant Application