LEAF | District 742 Local Education & Activities Foundation

LEAF is now a “full-service” educational foundation!  After 16 years of raising funds to provide aid solely for extracurricular activities and arts programming, LEAF now provides a similar effort in support of academic needs.  Funds will be distributed through a granting process similar to the current activities fund grant process and will begin as soon as the academic fund reaches an appropriate level.  

LEAF is now accepting funding applications for projects that lead to improved academic opportunities for students in District 742 (See grants link above).  Possible projects that would be considered for funding by LEAF include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Projects that remove barriers to academic achievement for a group of students.

2. Creative curricular or instructional ideas to challenge students at any grade level.

3. Innovative teaching ideas focused on expanding academic opportunities beyond the traditional school day/year, leading to increased student achievement.

4. Projects that have a focus on increasing student achievement.

5. Pursuit of excellence projects for/by staff in District 742 schools that will improve classroom instruction and student achievement.

6. Projects that focus on closing the achievement gap.

Funding will target a broad range of projects or interests.  Consideration will be given to projects which promote increased academic achievement.  Projects which expand learning opportunities, develop high student expectations for success, and increase parent/community involvement in learning will be viewed favorably.  Programs and projects which are creative, innovative, and can be replicated elsewhere in the District will also be viewed favorable, as will those that show an effort to pursue other sources of funding.