Surprise us with your new, creative, and innovative ideas!
Naperville Education Foundation (NEF) Express Grants elevate District 203 staff and students’ great ideas into reality. These grants provide up to $1,000 for immediate use, and are available on a rolling monthly cycle throughout the school year.
The 2023-24 Express Grant application window opens October 1, 2023. All grants must be:
- Initiated by a District 203 staff member or student and support at least one D203 school
- Approved by the school's principal
- Aligned to one or more School or District initiatives: School Improvement Plan, curricular area, learning standard, and/or high-value need, and/or District Comprehensive Equity Plan, and/or Focus 203 Strategic Blueprint
2023-2024 Express Grants Sponsor
Congratulations to our November 2023 Express Grant Recipients
NAMI Presentations
Renee Billish, Amie Salter and Deanna Nesci - Naperville North High School
This grant provides support for mental health workshops by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for PE Fitness and Advanced Health classes at Naperville North. Mental Health challenges have become increasingly prevalent among teenagers, so the workshops aim to provide students with the necessary resources and guidance to effectively support their mental well-being.
450 students impacted
Ellsworth Craft Club - Calming Crochet Corner
Students with help from Kimberley Rutan and David Liszka - Ellsworth Elementary School
This student-led grant funds crochet materials (Wooble Kits) for the Ellsworth Craft Club. Once 5th graders have the materials and learn to crochet, they plan to host other grade levels for a Calming Crochet Corner as a space for calm, to connect with others and for 5th graders to be leaders for the rest of the school.
40 students impacted
Empower, Regulate, Achieve: Promoting Whole-Child Wellness with the X5 Stationary Bike
Caitlin Leo and Christa Valkanos - Steeple Run Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of an X5 Kids Stationary Bike for Steeple Run’s newly constructed wing called the Super Star Atrium. The aim of the bike is to provide students sensory, cognitive, emotional and behavioral support to help students self-regulate during school transition periods or brain breaks.
636 students impacted
JJHS Book Club
Ashley Krause - Jefferson Junior High School
This grant funds the purchase of multiple diverse books for students to gather for bi-weekly book club meetings. The club will allow students to explore genres and provide a safe environment for them to test their comprehension skills, all while showing students how reading can be a way for them to build meaningful connections with each other.
15 students impacted
