Grants & Scholarships

Lakota Fund

The Lakota Fund is a simple way to supplement educational opportunities for students and faculty. Lakota faculty may submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn at anytime throughout the year. All requested resources must be used to enhance the student’s educational experience.

If pondering whether a resource is eligible, simply ask yourself, “Would my students write genuine thank-you notes?” If so, the project is probably eligible. Resource(s) funded through Lakota Fund are considered "property of the classroom." As long as you teach at the same school, you should have control over the resource(s) for which you received funding. If you change schools, the resource(s) must stay.

The Lakota Fund also values furthering education for our faculty and staff to continually bring the latest educational techniques for our students. Workshop fees, books, guest speakers, science projects, student leadership opportunities, etc. may be funded by the Lakota Fund.

Requests are approved through Lakota Local Schools first, then forwarded to the Foundation for funding. Grant amounts are considered on a case by case basis. We encourage you to seek other grant opportunities to supplement your project if it is more than is able to be awarded through the Lakota Fund

If you are awarded a grant, you will be required to submit feedback on the impact of your project, thank-you letters or photographs of your project. Also, we ask that grant recipients share the news of your grant award at your building staff meetings and PTO meetings. A follow-up report is required 30 days after your project is completed.

The Lakota Fund does not fund salaries or college tuition. Your project must be implemented within one year your project was approved. 

Giving to the Lakota Fund

If you are a Lakota Schools Employee, we encourage your support of the Lakota Fund. 98% of every dollar raised for the Lakota Fund goes to support grant opportunities.  If you would like to make a donation through Payroll Deduction (for as little as $2 a pay period/ $24 a year) click here for the form.

Contributions to the Lakota Fund also make great appreciation gifts, retirement gifts, etc. for Lakota employees. 

How to Apply

Please contact Kim Melzer at Lakota Local Schools for application instructions.