Plateau – Innovation in Schools Education Grants (Rolling)

Up to $5,000 for Innovative Teaching, Classroom Technology, and Broadband-Based Learning in New Mexico and Texas

Plateau’s Innovation in Schools Education Grant provides financial support to schools and educators seeking to improve teaching and learning through innovative educational activities. The program places special emphasis on using broadband internet as a learning tool, while also supporting instructional materials, equipment, consulting services, and other approved educational expenses.

School districts, individual schools, school departments, teacher groups, and individual teachers may request up to $5,000 per application.

Applications are accepted throughout the calendar year, subject to available funding.

Organization: Plateau / Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative
Support Type: Corporate giving grants
Geographic Focus: Schools within Plateau’s Cooperative service area in New Mexico and Texas
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000 per application
Application Deadline: Rolling, January 1–December 31, until funds are depleted
Review Process: Education Committee review and Board of Directors approval

About the Funder

Plateau is a telecommunications cooperative headquartered in Clovis, New Mexico, serving rural communities in eastern New Mexico and parts of West Texas.

Through its community investment activities, Plateau supports education, public safety, and initiatives that strengthen rural communities.

The Innovation in Schools Education Grant reflects the Cooperative’s commitment to helping educators expand learning opportunities and make effective use of technology in the classroom.

The program is designed to provide flexible support for educational improvements that may be difficult to finance through regular school budgets.

What This Program Supports

Plateau supports projects that introduce innovative approaches to teaching and improve student learning experiences.

Broadband Internet & Digital Learning

The program places special emphasis on projects using broadband internet to enhance instruction.

Potential initiatives include:

• Internet-based instructional activities
• Digital learning resources
• Online educational content
• Technology-supported classroom instruction
• Projects that integrate broadband connectivity into teaching
• Innovative uses of online tools to improve learning

Applicants should explain how the proposed technology or digital resources will improve teaching and student outcomes.

Classroom Equipment & Technology

Funding may support equipment needed to improve instructional activities.

Potential purchases include:

• Educational technology
• Classroom instructional equipment
• Digital learning tools
• Equipment supporting interactive learning
• Technology used for innovative teaching projects

Equipment must be connected to the educational purpose described in the application.

Instructional Materials & Educational Resources

Eligible expenses may include:

• Classroom instructional materials
• Educational supplies
• Learning resources
• Subscriptions for educational materials
• Materials supporting new teaching approaches
• Resources needed to implement innovative educational activities

Consulting & Professional Expertise

Schools may request funding for consulting services that improve teaching and learning.

Examples may include:

• Specialized educational consulting
• Instructional technology assistance
• Expertise needed to implement new educational approaches
• Consulting services supporting classroom innovation

Other Approved Educational Expenses

Plateau may also consider travel and other approved purchases that directly enhance teaching and learning.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate how each requested expense contributes to the proposed educational initiative.

Eligible Support Types

Innovation in Schools Education Grants

Awards of up to $5,000 support eligible educational projects and purchases.

Classroom & Instructional Equipment

Funding may be used to purchase equipment that enhances teaching and learning.

Educational Materials & Subscriptions

Grants may cover instructional materials, educational subscriptions, and other approved learning resources.

Consulting Services

Funding may support professional consulting directly related to an approved educational project.

Multiple applications from the same school or administrative entity may be considered when the requests are distinct, independent, and consistent with program guidelines.

Approval of multiple requests is at the discretion of Plateau’s Board of Directors’ Education Committee.

Eligibility & Geographic Focus

Eligible applicants include:

• School districts
• Individual schools
• Departments within schools
• Teacher groups
• Individual teachers

Applicants must be affiliated with schools located within Plateau’s designated Cooperative service area.

School District Authorization

Applications must be authorized by a legitimate school district or school administrative entity.

Individual teachers and teacher groups may apply, but the funding request must have the required administrative authorization.

Individuals responsible for administering grant funds may not receive direct personal benefit from the award.

Geographic Eligibility

New Mexico and Texas — specifically schools within Plateau’s Cooperative service area.

Plateau’s Cooperative service area primarily covers rural communities in eastern New Mexico and includes Farwell, Texas.

Eligible communities include locations such as:

New Mexico

• Anton Chico
• Clayton
• Conchas Dam
• Corona
• Fort Sumner
• Grady
• Logan
• Mosquero
• Ranchvale
• Roy
• San Jon
• Santa Rosa
• Vaughn

Texas

• Farwell

Additional Cooperative exchanges may qualify.

Applicants must verify that their school is located within a qualifying Cooperative exchange.

Importantly, purchasing Plateau retail telecommunications services outside the Cooperative service area does not establish eligibility.

Ineligible Requests & Restrictions

The program has several important restrictions:

• Schools outside Plateau’s Cooperative service area are not eligible.
• Funding must be used for the educational purposes identified in the approved application.
• Changes to approved expenditures require written approval from Plateau’s Board of Directors.
• Individuals administering grant funds may not derive direct personal benefit from the award.
• Expenditures must be completed within 12 months of the award.
• Receipts documenting actual expenditures must be submitted to Plateau.
• Failure to provide proper expenditure documentation may affect eligibility for future grants.

The program is intended for educational improvements rather than unrestricted school operating expenses.

Applicants should clearly connect each requested purchase or activity to improved teaching and learning.

Funding Amounts

Maximum Award: $5,000 per application

Plateau does not publish a minimum grant amount.

Funds may be used for eligible educational expenses, including:

• Instructional materials
• Classroom equipment
• Educational consulting
• Educational subscriptions
• Travel related to approved educational activities
• Other approved educational purchases

The Foundation does not publish a standard matching requirement for this program.

Multiple requests from the same entity may be considered when each project is separate and independently justified.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Period: January 1–December 31
📅 Application Deadline: Rolling, until funds are depleted
📅 Review Process: Education Committee and Board of Directors approval
📅 Expenditure Deadline: Within 12 months of the award

Applications may be submitted throughout the calendar year while funding remains available.

Plateau does not publish a standard award notification timeline.

Because funding may be exhausted before the end of the year, applicants are encouraged to submit requests early.

Application / Request Process

Applicants must complete Plateau’s Innovation in Schools Education Grant application and provide supporting documentation.

Step 1: Confirm Geographic Eligibility

Verify that the requesting school is located within Plateau’s qualifying Cooperative service area.

The application requests a qualifying telephone number from the Cooperative service area.

Step 2: Complete the Application

Applicants must provide:

• Name of the school district or administrative agency authorized to administer funds
• Name of the responsible party controlling the funds
• Mailing address
• Qualifying Cooperative service-area telephone number
• Name of the school, teacher group, department, or grade level requesting support
• Requested funding amount, up to $5,000
• Intended uses of the grant
• Authorized applicant’s name, title, signature, telephone number, and email address

Step 3: Prepare a Project Narrative & Budget

Applicants must attach a separate page explaining:

• The purpose of the proposed educational project
• How the project will improve teaching and learning
• Items or services to be purchased
• Cost breakdown for each item

Supporting documentation should include relevant equipment quotes, materials estimates, or consulting proposals.

Step 4: Obtain School Authorization

The application must be signed by an authorized representative of the school system.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Completed applications and supporting documents should be returned to:

Innovation in Schools Education Grant
c/o Plateau
PO Box 1947
Clovis, NM 88102-1947

Applications are reviewed by the Education Committee of Plateau’s Board of Directors, with final approval made by the full Board.

Apply / Learn More: https://www.plateautel.com/company/innovation-in-schools/

Grant Application (PDF): https://www.plateautel.com/media/documents/grants/innovation-in-schools-application.pdf

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly well suited for:

• Rural schools seeking classroom technology
• Teachers developing innovative instructional projects
• Schools integrating broadband internet into learning
• Teacher groups seeking educational materials
• School departments implementing new instructional approaches
• Educators needing equipment or educational subscriptions
• Eligible schools seeking grants for projects that may fall outside regular school budgets

Plateau’s Innovation in Schools Education Grant offers a practical funding opportunity for rural educators seeking to strengthen instruction and introduce new learning tools.

With awards of up to $5,000 and applications accepted throughout the year while funding remains available, the program is especially useful for schools with clearly defined classroom improvement projects.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling, subject to available funds
Maximum Award: $5,000
Best Suited For: Schools, school departments, teacher groups, and individual teachers in Plateau Cooperative service areas
Key Priority: Innovative teaching and broadband-based learning
Important Requirement: School district or administrative authorization and expenditure documentation within 12 months