FORUM Foundation Educator Grants (2026)

Classroom Grants of Up to $3,000 for Central Indiana K–12 Educators

The FORUM Foundation Educator Grants program provides funding directly to teachers and administrators for classroom projects, supplies, educational resources, and learning experiences.

The Foundation distributes $30,000 annually, with individual educators eligible to request up to $3,000. Applications for the 2026–2027 school year are now open and must be submitted by September 1, 2026.

Organization: FORUM Credit Union Foundation
Support Type: Educator and classroom grants
Geographic Focus: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, and Marion counties in Indiana
Funding Amount: Up to $3,000 per educator
Deadline: September 1, 2026

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

The FORUM Credit Union Foundation supports educational opportunities in the communities served by FORUM Credit Union. Its primary initiatives include collegiate scholarships and grants that help local educators improve classroom learning.

Through the Educator Grants program, the Foundation provides teachers and school administrators with funding for materials, projects, and experiences that may not be covered by traditional school budgets.

The program is designed to help educators respond directly to the needs of their students and create more engaging, supportive, and effective learning environments.

What This Program Supports

Educator Grant funds may be used for direct classroom expenses, including:

Classroom Projects

Supplies, materials, technology, or equipment needed to implement a specific classroom project or educational activity.

Essential Classroom Supplies

Basic supplies or resources that a classroom currently lacks and that are needed to support student learning.

Supplemental Learning Materials

Books, manipulatives, educational software, technology, art supplies, musical instruments, science equipment, and other items that enhance existing instruction.

Educational Experiences

Experiences that expand or strengthen classroom learning, including hands-on activities and other opportunities connected to student instruction.

Specialized Student Support

Resources that improve accessibility, communication, sensory support, social-emotional learning, or participation for students with different learning needs.

Requests should clearly explain how the proposed expense will benefit students and improve the classroom learning experience.

Funding Amounts

The FORUM Foundation designates:

• $30,000 annually for Educator Grants
• Up to $3,000 per educator

Applicants should develop a clear and realistic budget showing how the requested funds will be used.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a teacher or administrator at an accredited K–12 school
• Work in an eligible Indiana county
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Obtain a signed consent form from the applicant’s school principal
• Meet FORUM Credit Union’s membership and account requirements

Eligible schools must be located in one of the following counties:

• Boone County
• Hamilton County
• Hancock County
• Hendricks County
• Johnson County
• Marion County

Current FORUM Credit Union members must have accounts in good standing.

Applicants who are not FORUM members may still apply, provided they have never caused a financial loss to FORUM Credit Union.

Principal Approval Requirement

Every applicant must submit a signed consent form from the principal of the school where the proposed project will take place.

Educators should discuss their plans with their principal early enough to obtain the required signature before the September 1 deadline.

Applications or supporting documents submitted without the required approval may be considered incomplete.

Potential Uses of Grant Funds

Competitive requests may include funding for:

• Books and classroom libraries
• STEM and science equipment
• Classroom technology
• Art and music materials
• Literacy resources
• Special education and sensory tools
• Physical education equipment
• Career and technical education projects
• Outdoor learning activities
• Classroom furniture or alternative seating
• Educational games and manipulatives
• Student wellness and social-emotional learning resources
• Hands-on learning experiences

All proposed expenses should have a direct connection to classroom instruction or student learning.

Application Timeline

📅 Application Opens: June 1, 2026
📅 Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
📅 Applicant Notification: By October 1, 2026
📅 Maximum Grant: $3,000 per educator
📅 Total Annual Funding: $30,000

Applicants should allow enough time to prepare their project description, budget, supporting documents, and signed principal consent form.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the FORUM Foundation’s Educator Grants application process.

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Personal and professional information
• School name and location
• Description of the proposed classroom project or need
• Explanation of how students will benefit
• Requested funding amount
• Itemized project or classroom budget
• Signed consent form from the school principal
• Any additional supporting information requested by the Foundation

Applicants should review the official rules before submitting to confirm that they meet all eligibility and documentation requirements.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.forumcu.com/foundation/grants

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for educators who:

• Teach or work as administrators in eligible Central Indiana counties
• Need up to $3,000 for a classroom project
• Want to purchase educational supplies or equipment
• Have identified a specific unmet classroom need
• Are developing a hands-on or innovative learning experience
• Can clearly demonstrate how the funding will benefit students
• Have the support of their school principal

Because funding is awarded directly for classroom expenses, this program may be especially valuable for educators whose schools cannot fully cover supplemental materials, specialized equipment, or creative learning projects.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Deadline: September 1, 2026
Application Status: Open
Funding Amount: Up to $3,000 per educator
Total Annual Funding: $30,000
Applicant Notification: By October 1, 2026
Eligible Applicants: Teachers and administrators at accredited K–12 schools
Geographic Focus: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, and Marion counties in Indiana
Principal Approval: Required
Best Suited For: Central Indiana educators seeking funding for classroom supplies, educational projects, equipment, or student learning experiences
Geographic Tags: Indiana, Indianapolis, Central Indiana