North Wasco County Education Foundation Announces Spring 2026 Classroom Mini-Grant Recipients — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region

May 12, 2026 - 22:26

The North Wasco County Education Foundation has selected the recipients for its Spring 2026 Classroom Mini-Grant program. The grants, which fund creative and practical projects in local schools, will support a range of initiatives from hands-on science kits to literacy programs and arts supplies.

Foundation officials said the mini-grants are designed to help teachers bring innovative ideas into their classrooms without relying on already stretched school budgets. This cycle, the foundation awarded funds to educators across the district for projects that aim to boost student engagement and address specific learning needs.

Among the funded proposals are a project to build a school garden for environmental studies, a set of math manipulatives for elementary students, and materials for a student-run podcasting station. The foundation noted that the selection committee focused on projects with clear goals and the potential to impact a broad number of students.

The mini-grant program has been a staple of the foundation's work for several years. It relies on donations from local businesses and community members. Teachers can apply each spring and fall, with awards typically ranging from a few hundred to a thousand dollars. The foundation plans to announce the next application window later this year.