Donations to SOMEF, including funds raised annually from Honor Your Teacher and Staff Tributes, have enriched the lives of our children with an array of classroom and curriculum materials, special events, visiting artists, and other enriching programs. Teachers may apply for grants in the fall for their projects to be carried out in the spring. Since 2000, the SOMEF Teacher Grant Program has grown from $1,000 distributed among 3 proposals to $220,000 awarded for 353 individual grants.

Late Funding Initiative:

Every year, the Teacher Grants Committee receives more grant proposals than can be fulfilled with funds allocated. In 2007, requests totaled over $145,000. With just $35,000 budgeted, the committee recommended 49 innovative projects for full or partial funding in early December. SOMEF then invited the community to increase the number of grants awarded for projects to be carried out in the spring by contributing to one or more proposals awaiting funding. Last year’s Late Funding Initiative yielded $6,500 enabling us to fulfill almost all approved grant requests. Check back in December & January for this year’s late funding opportunities.

Click the links below for lists of recently awarded Teacher Grants, as well as grants awarded in prior years.

Small Grants awarded for 2007-08 school year
Large Grants awarded for 2007-08 school year
Small Grants awarded for 2006-07 school year
Large Grants awarded for 2006-07 school year

Grant history by category

Grant Summaries (an ongoing project)

Summer Grants for Administrators:

These grants are awarded annually in May for projects that enhance the educational program of a school or department. They are used for staff development activities, student enrichment or remediation programs, educational materials, etc. (Deadline: mid-April)

Administrators' Grants Awarded

2004 - Bridge to Success – Renee Pollack, CHS
2005 - Middle School Team Renewal – Kristopher Harrison, MMS
2006 - AVID Conference for Administrators - Janice McGowan, CHS
2008 - Dr. Maryrose Caulfield-Sloan, Grade 3 Multi-Modal Learning Center – Jefferson
2008 - Reading Support Software Training – Thomas Gibbons, South Mountain
2008 Principal’s Center for Educational Leadership Seminar - Patricia O’Neill, Clinton

Michelle T. Riecke Fellowships:

Endowed fellowships are awarded in April to South Orange & Maplewood teachers for their summer professional development experiences. (Deadline: early March)

Click here for a list of Michelle T. Riecke Fellowships Awarded