Delaware school board members can apply for up to $2,000 to fund governance projects
The 2027 Capacity Grants program supports local initiatives that are designed to be shared statewide, with applications due December 1.
By Marco Kapoor ·
Delaware school board members may now apply for grants of up to $2,000 to fund projects that address specific local education challenges. First State Educate opened applications for its 2027 Capacity Grants program on Monday. The funding is intended to help board members work alongside superintendents to identify district needs and develop practical solutions.
The grants differ from traditional education funding, which often targets classroom programs or equipment. Instead, this program focuses on the governance work of school boards. Projects can address how members understand issues, engage communities, evaluate district performance, and make decisions. The organization aims for successful projects to serve as models for other districts across the state.
Applicants must document their work, results, and lessons learned. This documentation allows other Delaware school boards to adapt promising approaches to their own communities. First State Educate describes the program as a way to move locally developed ideas from concept to implementation. The goal is to create usable tools, such as guides, training materials, or protocols, that other districts can adopt.
Previous recipients have used similar grants to tackle a variety of issues. In the Cape Henlopen School District, Dr. Alison Myers focused on Science of Reading training to improve board members' understanding of literacy instruction. Y.F. Lou of the Christina School Board explored emergency communications and the needs of multilingual families. Monica Moriak examined collaboration among New Castle County school boards. Rita Hovermale and Timothy Banks of the Woodbridge School Board pursued projects on kindergarten readiness and student participation in governance.
Lou, who serves as vice president of the Christina School Board, noted that the grant provided resources for a tabletop emergency exercise involving students and staff. He stated that board members set guardrails for how districts reach families in a crisis but often lack the resources to investigate these questions independently. The project produced findings the board could use in its governance role.
The program provides more than just the $2,000 grant. Recipients receive guidance from First State Educate as projects move from planning to implementation. The organization also works with Dr. James Bridgeforth of the University of Delaware to provide technical assistance. This support includes help with defining project scope, determining success metrics, and solving implementation problems.
Dr. Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate, said the program gives school boards the resources to test solutions rather than just identify problems. She stated that stronger governance leads to stronger outcomes and that these projects help districts make decisions that reflect student and family needs. Current Delaware school board members who participate in First State Educate activities are eligible to apply. Applicants are encouraged to work with their superintendents to identify specific issues.
A virtual orientation for prospective applicants is scheduled for November 9. Applications are due by December 1. Proposals do not need to be fully developed at the time of submission, as the organization works with selected recipients to refine plans. Award notifications and grantee orientation are expected to take place between December 16 and January 5.
