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Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625
360 Colborne Street
Saint Paul
MN
55102

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Ecolab Teacher Grant Program

Ecolab provides funding to Saint Paul Public Schools to support teacher-led projects that inspire and engage students. The Ecolab Teacher Grant Program offers a convenient and efficient way for teachers to apply for and receive funds that support classroom learning.

The Ecolab Teacher Grant Program consists of a regular cycle, which accepts applications at the end of the school year, and a microgrant cycle, which accepts applications for smaller awards midway through the school year.

Staff in the SPPS Innovation Office run the application and awards management process. Applications are read and scored by a team of volunteer reviewers from SPPS, Ecolab, and the greater community, with the highest scoring applications receiving funding.
 

Ecolab Microgrant Applications Due December 20th

Applications for the Ecolab Teacher Microgrant Program will open November 18th! These grants of up to $1,500 are open to all licensed SPPS staff.

The Google Forms Ecolab Microgrant application can be accessed at this link. Information about allowable costs and application tips can be found at the bottom of this page. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on December 20th.

If you are not selected for an Assistance League, Blaze Credit Union, or regular cycle Ecolab grant, your project could likely be a good fit for a microgrant. Note that this is likely the last teacher grant opportunity that can feasibly fund projects for the current academic year.

The application is relatively simple and we are happy to help with ideas or any questions you may have. The Innovation Office will be holding Microsoft Teams drop-in sessions at the following dates and times:

Monday, November 25th at 4 p.m (Meeting link)
Thursday, December 5th at 3 p.m. (Meeting link)
Thursday, December 12th at 4 p.m. (Meeting link)

Priority will be given to applicants who have not received a teacher grant for this school year, with decisions announced in January. Applications must first be cleared by your principal and also be completed only by the individual listed on the form. Duplicate applications will not be considered. 

Application Overview

Ecolab grants are generally suitable for projects that will impact a classroom or students of one grade. All SPPS teachers and paraprofessionals are eligible to apply. In the regular summer cycle, applicants can apply for up to $2,500 individually or $7,500 as a team. In the microgrant cycle, individual applicants can apply for up to $1,500 individually.

Applications for the regular cycle of the 2024-25 Ecolab Teacher Grant Program are now closed. More information about the 2025-26 timeline will be announced in Spring 2025.

Application Requirements

Grants may fund the purchase of classroom materials, field trip admissions, transportation, and other educational supplies and resources. 

Unallowable expenses include:

  • Furniture
  • Staff training
  • Staff or substitute time
  • Animal dissection supplies
  • Technology hardware (computers, tablets, SMART Boards, etc.)
  • Any purchases that don’t directly affect students

These guidelines are set by Ecolab and non-negotiable. 

All grant applications must:

  • Be approved by the applicant’s principal before submission
  • Be written solely by the applicant(s)
  • Not exceed word limits — Any words over the maximum allowed will not be reviewed
  • Not exceed the maximum funding request — For the regular cycle, individual requests over $2,500 or team requests over $7,500 will not be reviewed. For microgrants, individual requests over $1,500 will not be reviewed.

All materials purchased with award funds will become the property of SPPS. If you receive a grant and transfer to a different school, the grant funds and materials purchased stay with the school designated on the grant application. Funds also must be spent entirely during the school year they are awarded and will not carry over beyond June. 
 

Abraham Teuber,
Grants Assistant
abraham.teuber@spps.org

Ecolab blue logo with white background

 

“Teachers have an important job to do, and we are proud to support their work and the school district through this program. Funds provided through the Ecolab Teacher Grants Program will assist educators in their efforts to enrich the learning experience for their students.”

~ Kris Taylor, vice president, Ecolab Community Relations

Applicant Resources