Don’t forget to apply

The Dallas Education Foundation wants to remind team members about the deadline to apply for its fourth-annual Heart of Teaching Grant: Expanding Extracurricular Excellence.

The 2026-2027 Heart of Teaching grants program is designed to create opportunities for educators to support, enhance, and expand extracurricular activities on campuses. This initiative supports innovative projects that foster student engagement, leadership, and enrichment beyond the classroom. The maximum grant award will be $2,500 per project and must be used in the 2026-2027 school year.

DEF is accepting applications through April 26 from Dallas ISD campus staff, administrators, and teachers seeking to develop or enhance extracurricular activities. Grant applications may focus on launching new student organizations, strengthening existing programs, or introducing innovative initiatives that support student involvement. The application is open to all campus team members who serve students, including but not limited to, teachers, administrators, librarians, and support employees.

The team members who receive the grants will be announced on May 15, and the grants will be distributed from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. Follow this LINK to apply. 

DEF serves as Dallas ISD’s direct and designated philanthropic partner. Our mission is to inspire community investment to accelerate student success. We align with the district’s strategic initiatives and partner with our city’s business leaders, residents, and philanthropic community to raise funds for programs that enrich the lives of our students. In 2025, DEF disbursed nearly $3.1 million to Dallas ISD to support students, teachers, and schools. To learn more, visit DEF at https://dallasedfound.org.