Educators Grant Program

The FORUM Credit Union Foundation Educator Grants program is administered by the FORUM Credit Union Foundation, a philanthropic arm associated with FORUM Credit Union. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting educational initiatives within its service regions and has demonstrated a sustained commitment to enhancing classroom experiences since at least 2014. Through this grant program, the Foundation allocates funding annually to support educators in improving learning environments and outcomes for students. The program reflects the Foundation’s broader mission of community investment, particularly in K–12 education systems within specific Indiana counties. The primary purpose of the Educator Grants program is to provide financial support for direct classroom needs that may otherwise go unmet through standard school funding. The Foundation designates up to 30,000 dollars annually for distribution, with individual educator grants capped at 3,000 dollars. Funds are intended to support a wide range of classroom-related expenses, including but not limited to project supplies, essential classroom materials, supplemental educational tools, and experiential learning opportunities. All funded activities must directly benefit students and be implemented within the same academic year in which the grant is awarded. Eligibility for the program is limited to teachers and administrators working in K–12 accredited schools located in Marion, Hamilton, Johnson, Boone, Hendricks, and Hancock counties in Indiana. Applicants must either be FORUM Credit Union members in good standing for at least one year or be employed within the eligible service area. Additional eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship and the submission of a written endorsement from the applicant’s school principal. Certain individuals, such as relatives of FORUM Credit Union leadership or board members, are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The application process requires completion of an online application form along with submission of required supporting documentation. A signed consent form from the school principal is mandatory, while a short optional video may also be submitted to demonstrate the anticipated impact of the proposed project. Applications must be complete and submitted by the stated deadline to be considered. The Foundation outlines specific content guidelines for optional video submissions, including restrictions on inappropriate or promotional material and requirements for consent if individuals appear in the video. Applications are evaluated by the Foundation Board of Directors, which considers factors such as the impact and reach of the proposed initiative. Preference may be given to achieving equitable geographic distribution across the Foundation’s service areas. The Board retains full discretion in decision-making, and all decisions are final. Grant recipients are notified directly and publicly announced on the Foundation’s website. Funds are disbursed to the school rather than the individual educator, and recipients are required to provide progress reports demonstrating implementation of the funded project. The grant program operates on an annual cycle, with awards distributed at least once per year, typically in October. While the exact application opening and closing dates may vary, the recurring nature of the program suggests an ongoing opportunity for eligible educators to apply each year. Funds must be utilized within the same academic year as awarded, reinforcing the program’s focus on immediate classroom impact. Overall, the FORUM Credit Union Foundation Educator Grants program serves as a targeted funding opportunity aimed at strengthening educational experiences in specific Indiana communities through direct investment in classroom needs.

Emphasize measurable student impact and clear classroom benefit; ensure principal endorsement is strong and aligned with project goals