THE UPPER MIDWEST EMMY® FOUNDATION SCHOOL GRANT MISSION: To enhance the learning experience of media students in our chapter region’s high schools and/or 501(c)(3) secondary and post-secondary educational organizations by acquiring and distributing resources related to video production, television, and/or broadcast journalism.

Proposals should match the following criteria:

• Should describe materials, equipment, and/or an experience that cannot be purchased through the school or organization’s regular budget process.
• Have a high probability of significant impact on student achievement and engagement.
• Fit with the District’s or Organization’s Strategic Plan (if one exists).
• Have a specific budget and explanation of how the funds will be spent prior August 1st, 2024.
• Impact a significant number of students and/or impact a small number of students in a significant way over time.
• Be primarily non-consumable (consumable items & training are allowable, if needed to use new equipment).

The goals of the Upper Midwest Emmy® Foundation grant program:

• To provide financial grants to Upper Midwest Emmy® Foundation area high schools and/or 501(c)(3) secondary and post-secondary educational organizations seeking to make significant changes in how teachers teach and students learn in the areas of video production, television, and/or broadcast journalism.
• Fund media projects that are student-focused and positively affect student learning.

Some reasons why grant requests will not be approved include: 

• If you have received an Upper Midwest Emmy® Classroom Grant within the past two school years.
• Upper Midwest Emmy® Foundation grants cannot be used to fund travel expenses of students/staff, teacher stipends, costs of reserve teachers, classroom furniture, or grant requests of less than $500 or more than $2,000.
• Any proposals, which are not related to academic achievement in the areas of video production, television, and/or broadcast journalism, cannot be funded.
• If the cost per student is exceptionally high and/or the number of students affected is very low, then it cannot be funded.
• If the goal of the project is unclear or does not have a sound plan to measure success, then it cannot be funded.
• If the proposal requests the purchase of technology or software that cannot be sustained by the school or organization, then it cannot be funded. Or, if the proposal requests funds that could be funded by other established sources within the school or organization, then it cannot be funded by UPPER MIDWEST EMMY® FOUNDATION.