MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Marion Community Foundation’s 2025 TEACH Grants Program is now accepting applications through February 28. The TEACH Grants (Teaching, Educating And Classroom Help) support local teachers by funding innovative and impactful classroom programs not covered by regular school budgets.
Teachers can apply for the grants on the Foundation’s website under the “Grants” tab. Eligible applicants include public and private school teachers instructing kindergarten through high school in Marion and Morrow counties.
“Classroom teachers have great ideas and creative solutions to meet their students’ needs,” said Kate McCleese, Program Manager for Marion Community Foundation. “The TEACH Grant program can help teachers launch innovative and motivational ideas that may go unfunded because of a school’s tight budget.”
Over the past five years, the program has funded diverse projects, including multicultural literature, language translation equipment, and a drum set. The grants are made possible by funding from several sources, including the Pillar Credit Union Teachers Fund and the Marion Education Fund.
“Five years ago, the Board of Pillar Credit Union was instrumental in starting the TEACH Grants Program by providing the financial support,” said Julie Prettyman, president and CEO of Marion Community Foundation. “As the concept has caught on, other donors created additional funds to support specific schools. This is our way to affirm the value of our local educators and their creative ideas.”
The TEACH Grants program can award up to $2,500 in Marion County and $500 in Morrow County. A volunteer committee from the Foundation and its Board of Directors will decide the grant recipients.
Applications are due by February 28 at midnight, with awards announced in May for the 2025-26 academic year. Updates will be available on the Foundation’s social media channels.
For more information, contact Cheryl Wickersham at Marion Community Foundation at 740-387-9704 or cherylwickersham@marioncommunityfoundation.org. The Foundation’s offices are located at 504 S. State Street and are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.