2025 Courageous Steps Region-Wide Back-To-School Supply & Wishlist Initiative Grant Application

We are proud to celebrate the 12th anniversary of our Back-To-School Campaign! This year, we're expanding our reach to serve more rural counties across Maine, ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed.

Program Expansion
We’re excited to provide school supplies to students ages 3–18 in the following counties:

• Aroostook
• Piscataquis
• Penobscot
• Hancock
• Somerset
• Waldo
• Washington

Application Details
Application Deadline: Friday, August 1st
Notice of Awards: No later than Friday, August 29th

Eligibility Requirements
To apply, schools must:

• Primarily serve students from low- to moderate-income households (e.g., free/reduced lunch eligibility).
• Be a Pre-K to 12 school in one of the listed counties.
• Use supplies to directly support students in classrooms or other educational settings.
• Submit a fully completed application.

Funding Opportunities

• School Supply Grants-33 schools will receive each $150 grant to purchase classroom supplies.(These funds can be split among multiple teachers at the same school—e.g., 6 teachers receiving $25 each.)
• Wishlist Initiative Grant-5 schools will receive each $1,000 grant for school supplies and sensory learning equipment.
  (These applications should show thoughtful, high-impact proposals and meet additional requirements.)

Priority will be given to proposals supporting:

• Student success and achievement
• Inclusion, belonging, and resilience
• Social, emotional, and cognitive development
• Safety and well-being
• Innovative and resourceful projects with immediate impact

Who Can Apply?
School Administrators, Classroom Teachers, Guidance Counselors / Specialists, ect.

Receiving Your Donation
Approved schools will receive checks by mail using the contact information provided in their application.

Reporting Requirements
All recipients must submit at least one photo of the supplies being used in a classroom.
For larger awards, a brief follow-up form may be required to share the project’s impact.

Questions?
Email: info@thecourageousstepsproject.org

Grant Descriptions:

School Supply Grant: $150 of funding to be used in the following ways:

• General school supplies used often in regular education classroom setting; and
• Core-subject supplies that would benefit the greater good of economically disadvantaged students.

Wishlist Initiative: $1,000 of funding for one of the following: 

• Sensory Learning Initiatives such as adding equipment, to help improve learning outcomes in regular education classroom settings; or
• Success Incentive Programs recognizing students for academic excellence and achievement in school; or 
• Inclusive experiential learning programs/initiatives that promote universally designed learning experiences in our schools in all subject areas especially around reading, writing, and math while complimenting other subject areas

Disclaimer
By signing this form, I agree that the information selected/written above is answered to the best of my knowledge, for the Courageous Steps Project's Back-To-School / Wishlist initiative. Any information that is invalid or not true on any application submitted, will not be considered for a donation from the Courageous Steps Project Back-To-School / Wishlist initiative. Any information that changes, or additional requests, can be emailed to us at: info@thecourageousstepsproject.org. I also agree that Courageous Steps board directors/officers, committee members, members, or any other associated person(s) are not held liable for any given circumstances associated with this initiative or the organization as a whole.