At Westside, incredible things are happening in classrooms across the district—and the Foundation is proud to support that work.
We know your time is valuable, so we’ve created this space as a quick reference for everything you need when working with the Foundation. From applying for grants to understanding funding processes and sharing your impact, you’ll find it all here in one place.
Have an idea? Want to try something new?
We’re here to help you make it happen.
Educator Grant Resources
Bringing Innovative Ideas to Life in Westside Classrooms
The Westside Foundation partners with educators and school communities to support innovative ideas that expand opportunities for students across Westside Community Schools. Through the Foundation Grant Program, faculty, staff, and Community Clubs can apply for funding that supports creative teaching strategies, new learning experiences, and initiatives that strengthen student engagement.
Use the resources below to explore grant opportunities, understand the grant process, and access tools to help manage awarded funding.
Foundation Grant Program
What We Fund
Through the Foundation Grant Program, we support Westside educators in bringing bold, student-centered ideas to life. Each October, we invite proposals that strengthen teaching and learning across District 66.
We prioritize projects that:
- Spark innovation in teaching and learning
- Increase student engagement and outcomes
- Address key challenges like literacy, mental health, and inclusion
- Enhance classroom and school experiences
Our focus is on meaningful, lasting impact—supporting ideas that can grow, scale, and truly make a difference for students.
The Westside Foundation Grant Program empowers educators to dream big and bring bold ideas to life. Each year, faculty, staff, and district leaders are invited to apply for grant funding to support innovative projects that enhance teaching, expand opportunities for students, and strengthen learning across District 66.
The Foundation prioritizes projects that create meaningful learning experiences and have a positive impact on students.
Quick Access Links
Past Grant Examples
WMS Bee Club
At Westside Middle School, the Bee Club is making a huge impact, not just on the local ecosystem, but on our students as well. Since last spring, our young beekeepers have been hard at work raising a hive of bees, gaining hands-on experience with nature, and learning valuable lessons about sustainability, science, and responsibility. The program also encourages curiosity and teamwork while helping students build a deeper appreciation for the environment.
Field Trips
Elementary School Field Trips
Field trips bring learning to life—giving students meaningful, real-world experiences beyond the classroom. They create opportunities for hands-on exploration and deeper engagement that can’t be replicated in a traditional setting, helping students build curiosity and confidence.
Foundation Investment: $5,000
Marketing Club
Westside Middle School
Students will gain hands-on experience in media literacy, digital storytelling, and marketing through real-world projects that build creative confidence, communication abilities, and valuable practical professional skills for future academic and career opportunities.
Students Served: 150
Foundation Investment: $5,500
The Book Brigade
The Book Brigade program helps put books directly into students’ hands across all elementary schools and Underwood Hills Early Learning Center—expanding access to reading, strengthening literacy districtwide, and helping build a lifelong love of learning for every student.
Students Served: 3,000+
Foundation Investment: $3,000
WE-SIDE Multicultural Fair
The WE-SIDE Multicultural Fair brings our community together to celebrate the diverse cultures that make Westside strong—creating meaningful opportunities for students and families to connect, learn, and grow, while fostering a deeper sense of inclusion and belonging across our entire school community
Foundation Investment: $5,000 annually
Arts for Me
Westside Middle School & Westside High School
ARTS FOR ME! expands access to meaningful art experiences for students in alternative curriculum programs—supporting creativity, expression, and inclusive learning.
Students Served: 50 each year
Foundation Investment: $5,000 Annually
Grant Timeline
Understanding the overall grant cycle.
Grant Process
Our grant program follows a clear, streamlined process—from application to implementation and reporting—so educators can plan ahead and bring their ideas to life with confidence.
The process includes:
- Apply for grant funding
- Review and approval by the grant committee and district leadership
- Award announcement
- Project implementation
- Grant report submission
- Sharing impact through photos and highlights
This process ensures funding is used thoughtfully and allows us to share the meaningful impact of these projects with our community and donors.
Managing Your Grant
Resources for Educators with Approved Grants
Congratulations on receiving a Westside Foundation grant. Once a grant has been approved, educators should work with the District Business Office to purchase materials or pay invoices associated with the project.
The resources below will help guide the process of managing grant funds, documenting expenses, and sharing the results of your project.
Questions?
If you have questions about a grant idea, staff awards, scholarships, the application process, or managing an awarded grant, the Westside Foundation team is happy to help.
Please reach out!