GAR Foundation

GAR Foundation no longer accepts paper versions of its online application form. You must use the online system, which is accessible from our website. If you have problems accessing the Internet, or need help in completing the application, please call our offices and we will be glad to help.

GAR uses an automated online application that can be completed and submitted electronically. In the application section, you will be able to click on a "Submit" button, which sends us your application and attachments electronically. Attachments permitted include documents: submitted as attached/uploaded to the online application, in the form of a PDF or Word document; delivered via U.S. mail; delivered by hand to our offices by the appropriate deadline date. Be aware that, regardless of attachments, all application must still be submitted online.

Applications are due in GAR offices by 5 p.m. of the deadline date. Due to the large number of applications received, we cannot accept late applications.

If the application deadline date falls on a weekend, then your application is due in our offices by 5 p.m. of the Monday following the deadline date.

The GAR Foundation distribution committee meets four times per year: February, May, August and November. Applicants are notified by phone or email of the distribution committee’s award decisions within 24 hours of the meeting’s end. Written notification is also provided within one week of the meeting.

Visit the Awarded Grant Archive. Grants awarded since 2005 are posted there by category.

Go to the GAR News & Updates page and click on the most recent quarterly announcement.

Only teams of educators from public, private, parochial and charter schools in Summit County may apply for Educator Initiative Grants. These teams must consist of at least two K-12 classroom teachers. Administrators may also be team members, but should submit applications only in concert with a group of teachers who will share responsibility for implementing the project for which funding is requested.



All applications must be endorsed by the appropriate building principals (i.e., by the principals of all schools that will be directly affected by the project) and, in the case of public schools, by the appropriate district superintendents (i.e., by the superintendents of all districts that will be directly affected by the project). One superintendent must also accept fiscal responsibility for any grant resulting from the application.

Ordinarily, applicants for an Educator Initiative Grant should not request funding for teacher stipends, refreshments, furnishings, incentives, rewards, t-shirts, or standard school supplies. 


Funding for equipment will be considered only if the equipment is instrumental in achieving the goals of the project as outlined in the application. No more than 50 percent of the funds requested may be designated for the purchase of computer hardware, scientific instruments, or other equipment.

Funding for conferences and other professional-development opportunities will only be considered as part of a more comprehensive project with clearly articulated objectives, expected outcomes and assessment plans. 


No more than 10 percent of the funds requested may be used to subsidize the hiring of substitutes.

GAR Foundation’s distribution committee will consider applications for Educator Initiative Grants once a year at its May meeting.

Please visit our EIG section to review this year's application deadline.