HOLLISTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION

A catalyst for excellence in education

HEF Grant for Intensive Study

About the Holliston Education Foundation

The Holliston Education Foundation (HEF) is an independent, nonprofit organization established to raise funds to enrich, foster, enhance and support public education in the Holliston Massachusetts school district. HEF is not a school-based parent organization, but an external partner to all the Holliston schools. HEF raises funds annually and operates an endowment for the benefit of public education in Holliston.

The Mission of the Holliston Education Foundation is to catalyze excellence and innovation in education through support for outstanding teacher initiatives, recognition of teacher achievement, and by assisting Holliston High School Seniors in their pursuit of higher education. The Foundation accomplishes our mission by working in collaboration with educators, business leaders, service organizations and residents of the community.

The HEF Grant for “Intensive Study”

The Grant for “Intensive Study” is intended to encourage educators to expand, to be creative, to take a risk, and affirms that teachers’ good ideas are supported by the community. Through the Grant for “Intensive Study,” HEF seeks to enliven and improve the quality of classroom instruction, enrich children’s lives, and contribute to the overall excellence of our schools. The Grant for “Intensive Study” is available to educators seeking to bring innovation and enrichment to their classrooms through intensive study of a specific aspect of the curriculum or instruction. Grants are awarded to support teacher initiatives that would not be possible in our schools without outside funding. This year, HEF wishes to focus the Intensive Study grants on some aspect of the Holliston School District Mission and Vision Statement: To collaboratively create a safe, inclusive environment that empowers all learners, through innovative teaching and learning, to be lifelong, active, global citizens. Mission: Embark on Your Journey: Personal. Local. Global.
•	Final HEF Grant Pre-proposal and Full Application Deadlines:
•	This year, the pre-proposal deadline is January 30th – but remember, you have a better chance of funding with earlier applications!  HEF will review preproposals and notify you of our decision to proceed with a full proposal (or not).  The full proposal will be submitted with this form, The HEF Intensive Study Grant Application (as shown below).  Full grant proposal deadline: February 20th, 2026.
•	Suggested Grant Amount: $100-$500 per request (not to exceed $1,000 per school).

Applications will be accepted and reviewed quickly any time after January 30th 2026.
Email to HollistonEducationFoundation@gmail.com or Heidi.Gibson@comcast.net
or mail to HEF, PO Box 6692, Holliston, MA 01746

Criteria for Grant Awards

	1) Project Description (attached) is complete and describes in detail: 
	
	a)	the relationship of this “Intensive Study” to the classroom curriculum and the potential to broaden in support of the District Strategic Plan and/or project-based learning 	
	b)	the specific ways the “Intensive Study” will transfer into the classroom (such as innovative aspects of curriculum and/or new methods of instruction), and its direct impact on students	
	c)	consultation with a relevant curriculum specialist or department head.  Sign-off by school principal, and coordination with building manager is expected, where appropriate	
	d)	the timeline for the project 	
	e)	a timeline to share study experiences with students, fellow educators and administrators in your school and to the schools within the district if applicable	
	f)	the method or tool for collaboration with fellow educators i.e. visual presentation ideas  	

	2) Personal Statement (attached) is complete and describes: 
	
	a)	how past experience, skill or interests might help you make the most of this grant 	
	b)	how this intensive study will enrich your career as an educator going forward 	
		
	 3) 	Funding Description (attached) is complete and describes: 
	
	 a)	other sources of funds (if any) being sought for this project	
	 b)	proposed expenses as required on form 	

Holliston Education Foundation (HEF)

“INTENSIVE STUDY” GRANT APPLICATION-- COVER SHEET

   Please mail to HEF, PO Box 6692 Holliston, MA 01746. Full proposal applications will be accepted by February 20th, 2026.  NOTE: this full proposal application follows the acceptance of the pre-proposal. Full proposal applications will be reviewed within 30 days and final decision shall be communicated with all signatories on the last page.

PROJECT TITLE:
		
ANTICIPATED START & END DATE OF PROJECT:		
TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED:

PRIMARY APPLICANT/ CONTACT	
NAME:  
	
SCHOOL and POSITION:
	
ADDRESS:  
	
TELEPHONE:  
	
E-MAIL:  

ADDITIONAL APPLICANTS/ CONTACT	
NAME:  
	
SCHOOL and POSITION:
	
ADDRESS:  
	
TELEPHONE:  
	
E-MAIL:  

NOTE:  Grant funds are reserved for the approved date of grant award unless a written request for an extension is submitted to grant administrator 30 days prior to expiration date.

PROJECT TITLE:
	
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	
1)	Describe your Intensive Study Project in detail (attach additional sheets if necessary) and be sure to include:	
	a) 		the relationship of this “Intensive Study” to existing classroom curriculum and the potential to broaden in support of one of the five District Strategic Plan Pillars and/or project-based learning

	
	b) 	 
	the specific ways the “Intensive Study” will transfer into the classroom such as the development of innovative aspects of curriculum, and/or new methods of instruction

	c) 		comments from your consultation with a relevant curriculum specialist or department head 

	
	d) 		the method for collaboration with fellow grant applicants (if applicable)

	
2)	Describe how this project will directly impact students.  Identify the school population(s) which will be affected: 

3)	Describe consultation with a relevant curriculum specialist or department head if relevant

4)	Give a timeline for your “Intensive Study” project, describing its major components and approximate length of time each activity will take:
	
Ac	    Activity		Amount of Time	Approx. Dates

	
5)	Give an approximate timeline to share study experiences with students, fellow educators and administrators in your school and the schools within the district if applicable

6)	The method or tool for collaboration with fellow educators i.e. visual presentation ideas  

	
	: 

PROJECT TITLE:
	
PERSONAL STATEMENT	
Note: HEF may request that finalists meet with members of the HEF board to discuss this personal statement and other aspects of the application.

What background, skills, and/or experience will contribute to the success of the project?

	
Describe how you believe undertaking this project will affect your career as an educator?

	
Please attach any additional information you would like HEF to consider in reviewing your application

	

PROJECT TITLE:
	
FUNDING DESCRIPTION	
1)	Please account for the disbursement of funds requested from HEF:
	
Conference/Study fees:	__________

 Attach Conference Information

Materials or equipment total:	__________

 Attach details
 If figure is an estimate, please explain

Travel Expenses

 Attach details
 If figure is an estimate, please explain	__________

       Other Expenses	

TOTAL:
		
2)	Are you seeking additional funds elsewhere?   Yes   No
	
If so, please identify the organization(s) from which you are requesting funds, the amount of the request and date you expect to learn status of your request.
	
3)	Will you complete this “Intensive Study” if additional funds from other source are refused?

By accepting funding, I (we) agree as a condition of funding to:

•	Submit a detailed accounting (receipts included) of HEF funds expended as part of this grant, to be transmitted to HEF Treasurer within sixty (60) days of completing this granted activity.
•	Present the results of your “Intensive Study” to educators and administrators in your school, with members of HEF and the community.
•	Submit a brief summary of your “Intensive Study” that may include photographs, work samples, and/or other visuals for publicity purposes.
•	When issuing statements and/or press releases describing the” Intensive Study,” the following Information MUST be included: "This Intensive Study project is supported by a grant from HEF.”
•	I/We recognize that providing the accounting, reporting and publicity items listed above are a condition of funding and therefore are my/our obligation as a grant recipient.

Primary Applicant

SIGNATURE:  _________________________________________   Date:  ____________________________

Additional Applicant

SIGNATURE:  _________________________________________   Date:  ____________________________

School Principal

SIGNATURE:  _________________________________________   Date:  ____________________________