APS Teacher Grants Program
Through the Our APS. Our Village. Employee Giving Campaign, APS educators can apply for funding to bring innovative classroom and school-based projects to life for students.
When APS employees give, classrooms benefit.
These grants turn employee giving into educator-led projects that address student needs and strengthen learning across APS.
Village Classroom Grant
Up to $2,000
For classroom or school-wide projects, program initiatives, and equipment needs.
Full application with project narrative and goals
Itemized budget and implementation timeline
Sustainability plan
Principal signature or written approval
Review against the program’s selection criteria
Village Appreciation Grant
Up to $1,000
For quick-turnaround classroom needs and projects that recognize everyday teacher impact.
Short application with a project description
Simple itemized budget
Principal awareness confirmation
Streamlined review
What the grants support
Literacy
STEAM and Workforce Development
Classroom Innovation and Instructional Improvements
Who can apply?
All active APS teachers and school-based educators may apply. You do not need to be an APFE donor or contribute to the employee-giving campaign to be eligible.
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Travel or lodging; costs over the grant’s award limit; technology without APS IT approval; salaries, stipends, or other compensation; items benefiting only one student; items covered by the school’s standard supply budget; indirect or administrative costs; and recurring costs that would require continued APS funding.
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Yes. Principal awareness is required for Village Appreciation applications. Principal sign-off or written approval is required for Village Classroom applications.
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To protect both APFE and grant recipients, award funds are paid directly to the recipient's school — not to the teacher personally — for use only as described in the approved application. This can take the form of a reimbursement to the school's activity account, a direct payment to a vendor, or a transfer to a school-held account earmarked for the project.
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The plan sets a limit of two Village Appreciation Grants per school per program year. Confirm that this limit applies to the upcoming cycle before posting.
Application Timeline
Both grant categories follow the same annual cycle, making it easier for educators to plan and apply. Funds are distributed during the summer so recipients can prepare their projects before the school year begins. After completing their projects, recipients submit a brief impact report and photos.
December 15
Application portal opens
January 30
Application deadline
February–March
Application review
May
Award winners announced during Teacher Appreciation Week
July–August
Funds distributed to schools
Fall
Impact reports and photos collected
Selection Process
Incomplete applications may be disqualified, so please review all requirements before submitting. APFE’s review process varies by grant category.
Applications are evaluated based on how well the project does the following:
Aligns with the program’s funding priorities
Serves students
Fits the proposed budget and timeline
Describes the project clearly
Can continue or be reused beyond the grant year (Village Classroom Grant)
Why This Matters
Teacher grants are a powerful example of Our APS. Our Village. in action. By supporting one another through employee giving, we empower educators, inspire innovation, and create more opportunities for students across the district. One dollar at a time, our own employees are proof that when it comes to Atlanta's students, we all show up for each other.
Have an Idea for Your Students?
Grant recipients must submit a brief impact report and photos after completing their project. By applying, applicants consent to APFE using submitted photos, videos, names, and project descriptions in promotional and donor stewardship materials. Applicants must obtain written consent for anyone identifiable in submitted media and provide it to APFE upon request.